The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1881-02-02
THE ORCHARD AND FRUIT
GARDEN.


line county writes US stating that
he has pear orchard OF two hun
dred trees-four years planted, OF
vigorous growth, that is not where
he now wants it. Wishing to re-
move it about one mile from where
it stands at present, he desires to
know, frst-.If they can be sue
cessfully transplanted? Second
If they can, now he shall proceed
and whep?' To which we reply,
that we see no reason why trees OF
that age and size cannot be success
fully removed. provided ::ssproper
pains are taken. in executing the
work. Before beginning the job
however, we would advise him to
fully educate himself up to the
fact, that there is a-great deal O.
labor attending..it, to perform itln
such a manner as to insure sue
cess; and unless it is properly done,
it would be economy to cut the trees
down and burn them. During
any open spells Of weather through
the winter, when the ground IS
clear of frost and not too wet, the
work of transplanting can be per-
formed not only with trees OF
this size, but smaller ones as well.
Before digging, mark the tree some
way, so that the same side will be
to the North in it's new situation,
IS in the old. As to this idea, our
own individual experience has not
been of such q character as to war
rant our taking much stock IN it,
yet we know intelligent and sue
cessful orchardists, who maintain
that it is important; and as it is
attended with little trouble, We in
clude it, so that if there is anything
of merit in it C) our inquirer may
have the benefit of it.
The next operation is getting
the trees out of the ground; and
this is where persistent care and
great deal of labor is required AS
trees of such size should not have
their roots "bobbed" off at two or
three feet from the tree, but to get
as much-as near all-of the root
as is possible, without skinning,
cutting or straining-shouli be the
end sought in each and every IN
stance. Swaying the tree from side
to side is very barbarous and ig-
norant plan, for reasons that should
be obvious to the most disconnect-
ed thinker: Firs-The roots on
one side of the tree to which it is
pulled or pushed, are bent at such
angles as to rend and bruise the
bark badly, if no further injury is
done; next the roots on the op-
posite side are strained, torn and
often split of, to such extent as to
work lasting injury. Get the roots
loose by the removal of the soil
from over them, so that the tree
can be lifted out of its place with
out injury. After the tree is out Of
she ground, a careful inspection of
the roots will serve as a guide to
the ''shortening-in" of the main
branches, enough of which should
be done to balance all loss of root,
and better a little more than not
enough. No more trees should be
taken out than can be planted the
same day. After the trees are con.
veyed to where they are to be
planted-by taking them and stand
ing them on the exact spot where
they are to remain, spreading out
the roots-a correct idea as to the
extent of the hole to admit them is
obtained, which should be capacious
enough to receive them in their
natural positions, without any bend
ing Or cramping, couple OF inches
deeper than befo' removal: under
such conditions place the roots in
the hole prepared, and cover with
couple inches Of good soil, packing
firmly in every crevice then three
or four shovelsful of fine, well rot.
ted manure scattered over this, and
the work of filing in the soil may
be completed. Each tree handled
as above described, fair growth of
new wood may be anticipated the
next year, which generally assures
the future health Of the tree.
We have taken more space to
give details than we otherwise
would, did we not think that other
readers of the Farmer, inexperien-
ced in the removal of large trees,
may derive some ser7iceable hints
therefrom. And in conclusion we
have to say, that as rule, the
transplanting of large trees in Or