The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1882-11-09
for the farmer.
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. In the far nor
them localities, where winter sets in abruptly,
spring planting is to be preferred. But as
general thing, our autumn is prolonged, the
Transition from simmer to winter is very grad
ual, and We have then the most delightful wea-
Their 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 the greatest comfort and more rapidi-
ty, but the soil is in the best condition to re-
ceiye the roots. A tree is not mere dead stick,
10 be set in the ground, as if it 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, COM
mence to repair their damages, and often new f.
bres are formed, to be ready for active work by
healing over in the coming spring
In autumn, there is not in the nursery so much
of a rush Of work as in the spring. Besides, the
stock has not been reduced by many sales, and
the trees are likely to lie better. One objection
to purchasing the trees in the fall made by some,
is that the nurseryman, in order to fill his or
ders, must strip off the foliage. This is but lit
tie weight, if the nurseryman understands his
business. In our mild autumn, when the leaves
have done their work and have fully ripened-
for leaves ripen as well as fruit-they will re-
main attached to the tree for weeks or until
severe storm shakes them off. When the leaves
in this state, they require very little force to
separate them from the branches, and the strip
ping if done at this time cannot injure the tree.
The thorough planting Of q tree requires that
the soil should be in immediate, close contact
with all the roots; no two roots should touch one
another, but every root and roOt-fbre must be
surrounded with earth, and no air spaces left
among them. This can net he 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 genial condition
that one does not hesitate to handle it aud per-
form the work of placing the roots with thor
oughness.
At this season, the planting Of the tree should
be finished by making mound of earth foot
or moro high around the base; let this be made
steep and as smooth possible. A mound of
this kind serves sevarel purposes; it greatly
stitfens the tree and prevents injury by violent
winds; it serves to protect the roots in severe
weather, and if no rubbishis allowed to accumu-
late tpon it, will keep of the mice, often in
furious to young trees While mound of this
kind will generally avoid the use of stakes,
there are localities in which, on account of yiO-
lent winds, stalking is necessary. When stalking
is necessary and must must be done, set
the stakes first Having made the proper exca-
walton mot mere hole) for the tree, drive down
the stake, and then put the tree in position, ar
ranging the roots on each side Of it, IL the trees
are planted, and the stakes driven afterwards,
many of the roots will be bruised and broken,
and the tree injured.--4meyican Agricalfnist.