Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-09-30
For the oxford Democrat.
FRUIT CULTURE.
PREPARING To PLANT.

Before planting extensively, every one,
who is not sufficiently well informed TO
satisfy himself, should consult some sue
cessful growers in his own vicinity as TO
the best local varieties and methods of
culture: then with the aid of the follow
ing general directions, he can act under
standingly:
THB BEST TINE TO PLANT.
There has been much discussion as to
the best season of the year for planting,
and, while much good argument has been
employed in favor Of both spring and fall,
it has become well settled that, for New
England and the northern Middle States,
spring Is BY far the better season, while
south of those sections fall Is equally as
good and in many sections far preferable.
THE BESr AGE TO PLANT.
Good thrifty, medium sized trees, two
or three wears old, are the most desirable
TO plant At this age they can be remOy-
ed from the nursery with slight injury 70
their roots, and their growth Is readily
asSimilated to that Of the soil to which
they are tranSplanted; while the tree of
much old growth receives greater injury
to It's roots in digging, and makes slow,
stunted growth after transplanting Many
want large tree, thinking 70 have fruit
sooner; but, aside from exceptional cases
Of ornamental trees for public grounds
and fruit trees on which unusual pains
and expense are bestowed. these trees of
bearing age, so called, are more pro
h6c IN disappointment than fruit The
quickest and least expensive way 20 o5-
tain large tree and fruit thereon Is TO.
plant a small one. \ three wear old tree,
SET in the same yard and at the same time
as one five or SIN, VIII, nine times out of
ten, 20 by the latter IN growth and fruit
age before many years
PREPARATIoN or THE GROUND.
Ground for all fruit trees, shrubs or
vines, should De well drained, either nat
urally or by artificial means, for they can
never flourish where the soil Is saturated
with stagnant water, with no avenue Of
escape. The soil should be under good
state of cultivation previous 70 planting.
Two or three years deep blowing, with
liberal dressing, Is desirable 70 bring II
up to a high state Of fertility Not that
It should be excessively rich, but in such
condition as a good farmer would pre-
pare it for good crop Of corn or garden
vegetables BY judicious treatment Of
the soil. fine prolific trees are often pro
duced on poor land.
An orchard site should not be consid-
cred ready for planting till i; Is well pro-
tected against cattle by good fences.
Many thriving Young orchards have been
ruined or seriously injured by browsing
and rubbing Of cattle
PURCHASING AND RECEIVING TREES.
In ordering trees one should deal only
with parties OF agents of known reliabil-
ity, and thus avoid impositiOns in variety
and quality.
On receiving trees from the nursery
they should be Immediately set in deep
trenches, where their roots can be thor
oughly buried in fine soil, and thus kept
moist and free from exposure 70 the sun
and air. If well trenched in they VIII
remain without injury many days, or
even weeks if necessary. or TIL the places
are ready for them.
wITHERED AND FROZEN TRIES.
With present shipping facilities, trees,
if properly packed, viii reach the pur-
chaser in q fresh and healthy condition,
and in no other condition are they ordi-
narily acceptable; but if through some
unavoidable circumstances the roots be-
come dry and the bark and branches
shrivened, they should be buried, root
and branch. two or three days, several
inches deep, in loose, mellow soil. and
water freely applied, care being taken
that they do not remain long enough 70
start much growth. Treated in this way
they VIII, If not too much injured, come
out fresh and restored.
In case of frozen trees, which some
times reach US during sudden frosts, the
packages should be placed, unopened, in
cellar, or some other cool place, away
from frost and heat. They VIII gradually
thaw out without much injury, when they
may be unpacked and trenched in or
planted. If frozen roots are exposed 10
the air and heat, they viii be ruined.