The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-10-14
Ghe 9armer,
The Time for Planting an Orchard.

The Time for Planting an Orchard.
The discussions as to the most favorable
time for tree planting, as general thing,
favor the autumn but notwithstanding
this, by far the greater number wait until
spring. There are many points in favor
Of autumn planting in all the milder parts
of the country. u In the far northern 10
calities, where winter sets in abruptly,
spring planting is to be preferred. But
as a general thing, our autumn Is pro-
longed, the transition from summer to
winter is very gradual, and we have then
the most delightful weather of the whole
year. At this time the soil is in the best
condition for working, not having lost its
genial warmth not only can the. work be
done with greater comfort and more rap
idity, but the soil is in the best condition
to receive the roots. A tree is not mere
dead stick, to be set in the ground as If 1t
were post it is. still alive, though its
vitality is not manifest; after the roots
are placed in the soil, certain growth
takes place before winter. The wounds
on the roots, made in taking up the tree,
commence to repair damages, and often
new fibres are formed, to be, ready for ac-
tive work by healing over in the coming
spring.
In autumn, there is net in the nurseries
so much of rush of work as in spring
besides, the stock has not been reduced by
many sales, and the trees are likely to be
better One objection. to purchasing the
trees in fall made by some, is that the nur
seryman, in order to fill his orders, must
strip off the foliage This has but little
weight, if the nurseryman understands his
business. In our mild autumns, when the
leaves have done their work and have fully
ripened-for leaves ripen as well as fruit
they will often remain attached to the tree
for weeks, or until severe storm shakes
them off. When the leaves are in this
state, they require very little force to sep
arate them from the branches, and the
stripping, if done at this time, cannot in
lure the tree. The thorough planting Of a
tree requires that the soil should be in i'm
mediate, close contact with all the roots
no two roots should touch one another, but
every root and root-fbre must be surround
ed with earth, and no air-spaces left among
them. This cannot be done with hoe or
with the foot, but requires the hands to.
work the soil in among the small roots At
this time of the year the soil is in that ge
NAL condition that one does not hesitate to
handle it and perform the work of placing
the roots with thoroughness.
At this season, the planting of the trees
should be finished by making mound of
earth foot or more high around its base;
let this be made steep and as smooth as
possible A mound of this kind serves
several purposes /; it greatly stiffens the tree
and prevents injury by, violent winds; it
sergesto protect the roots in severe weather,
and If no rubbish is allowed to accumulate
upon it, will keep off the mice, so often in
furious to young trees, While mound of
this kind will generally avoid the use of
stakes, there are localities in which, on ac-
count of violent winds, stakingis necessary.
When stalking must be done, set the stakes
first Having made the proper excavation
(not a mere hole) for the tree, drive down
the stake, and then put the tree in position,
arranging the roots upon each side of it.
If the trees are planted, and the. stakes
driven afterwards many of the roots. will
be bruised and broken, and the tree in
jured.-Americdn A9r1culturist.a slis