Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-01-26
Time to Plant Selection Of Trees, Etc.

Between fall and spring planting the
difference is next to nothing, provided
other things are equal; failures which
have been charged to the one or to the
other have in nearly every instance
been due to something else-careless-
ness In planting, the destruction of the
roots in digging up, or badly grown
tree. In the fall, the weather is gener-
ally favorable, and the press of other
work Is not so great as in spring, and
the rains and melting SHOWS of winter
settle the earth among the roots; so that
the tree is in the best condition to begin
growth in spring. But fall planting is
not to be recommended in severe eli
mates, nor is it best for tender trees of
any kind. Nor has fall planting any
advantages which would make up for
the loss of whole seasons growth,
which would occur if planting should be
deferred in spring.
In spring a little more care is neces-
sary to get the earth well in among the
roots, so as to leave no vacancies: but
if done early, the rains render assistance
again. If planted late, bucketful or
two of water poured on when almost
done will accomplish the same end.
VhoIC OSHCuoS VII HtNtCbtH0 bh6Li Oh
the season for planting.
In regard to the selection of trees,
many say: "What's the difference?
A tree is a tree" So it is, just as a
horse is horse. Only the defects of
the horse can generally be seen and are
pretty well understood, while the de-
fects of the tree are otherwise. One
of the greatest defects of tree can not
be ascertained until number of years
after its purchase; when, by coming
into bearing, the planter finds his choice
fruit is a comparatively worthless varie-
ty. When this extends to a whole
orchard, as has been the case time and
time again, the loss is very serious in
deed. The buyer of trees is so entirely
in the hands of the seller that the pur-
chase of "Russian" apples and other
trash from strangers is one of the things
beyond comprehension. In scarcely
any other business should the buyer so
intelligeutly assure himself of strict
honesty and capability on the part of
the seller.
One of the defects of young tree-a
tall, smooth stem-is often considered
an excellence; whereas it is usually the
result of want of proper space-crowd-
ing. Plenty of room produces stocky
trees with many side shoots. The side
shoots produce corresponding lateral
roots; and these lateral roots are the
life of the tree. The intelligent pur-
chaser will look not so much at the
stem, but a great deal at the roots.
With plenty of good roots the tree has
every chance for life in removal; and
when the roots are right, the tops can
soon be put in the same condition.
The kind of soil on which young trees
are grown is very important. The low,
fiat lands so often chosen for nursery
purposes produce very nice looking, but
not very healthy, trees, as may readily
be seen when a winter of such extreme
cold as that of 1SS0-S1 occurs.
In size the tree should not be too
large, else the check of removal will be
too great; nor should it be too small, in
which case it would still need nursery
treatment.
A poor tree is most worthless piece
of property, dear as gift. A good,
well grown tree, of fair size, is cheap at
a good round price. The reason is
plain. The first cost of the tree is a
light matter compared with the added
cost of planting, and care, and the time
which must pass until bearing. The
case Is one III WHICH the planter CAN uOG
afford to run risks, and yet many per-
sons think they practice economy by
saving few cents on the first cost of a
tree.
Three things, then, must receive the
earnest attention of the careful planter:
First-Who raised the tree? Is he
trustworthy and competent? No one
can raise trees with safety to his Gus
toners unless he has extensive orchards
of his own in which he tests every vari-
ETY.. Second-Was the tree grown on
good, dry soil of moderate fertility?
Third-Has it plenty of good roots?-
Cincinnati Gazette.