Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-03-20
Planting Ornamental Trees.

be kept OH corn, as is so often DONE"
Planting Ornamental Trees.
We find in Vick's Monthly the follow.
ing suggestions on tree planting, which
will soon be IN season:
Healthy trees with good roots, if
properly cared for after digging, and
carefully planted in good soil. should
always live, and where they do not
their death can usually be traced to
some preventable cause. The chief
cause of the death of trees and shrubs
when dug in good condition, is expos
ure and drying after digging. The tree
depends on the roots for its moisture
and much OF its food, and this is chiefly
obtained through the delicate growing
tibers. A moments exposure to the
burnin sun or drying winds Injuries,
and longer exposure kills the feeders
and Injuries the vitality of the larger
roots. The tree must then form new
roots before it can make growth. The
greatest care should be taken that trees
are properly protected and packed after
digging.
in as rule. Certain varieties of trees
seem we'll adapted to grow in the poor
est soil, many others will occasionally
become established in a poor soil and
do well; but for success In ornamental
tree-planting good soil is necessary,
and it should never be less than foot
deep. Do not plant trees where you
would no. attempt to plant a vegetable
garden.
"When tree is to be planted the
hole should be large enough to extend
the roots mutually in all directions. The
soil should be worked among the roots
thoroughly and very firmly. When
growing every fiber is in close contact
with, the soil, and the tree is held so
firmly that the winds cannot stir it. In
planting, it the earth should be packed
solid enough to hold the tree secure it
would certainly be an advantage"
Growing Irish Potatoes in Trenches.
The following method of growing DO
tatoes by what is known as the trench
system is taken from the Cotmans Ru-
raj World. By this system the potatoes
are planted in deep trenches, but are
only covered lightly, thus leaving de-
preston along the row. After the po-
tatoes have come up and they need
cultivating, a harrow or similar tool is
run over the rows lengthwise, and
thin layer Of dirt is thrown into the de-
preston, which covers up the small
weeds just starting, but not the strong
er growing potatoes. Only enough soil
should be worked down to cover the
weeds as they are coming through the
surface. This is repeated as often as
necessary through the season, discard
ing the harrow when the potato tops
get too large for its use, and using in
stead light, shallowrunning cultivator
that works between the rows.
If the land is very weedy, hand-hoe-
ing may be necessary but with proper
ly-prepared soil its use will be light.
By the end of the season the trenches
will be filled. the surface level, and the
potato roots will be much deeper in the
earth than ordinarily. By thus filling
the trenches a considerable portion of
the potato tops will have been buried.
Tubers will form on the tops when COW
cred with soil, in addition to what are
produced on the roots proper. Thus,
with conditions of soil favorable, the
plant has a chance to produce many
more potatoes than when planted in the
ordinary way. By planting in the
trenches, but covering shallow, the CO.
tatoes come up more quickly than when
covered at once with thick layer of
earth. In dry seasons the depressons
to tend conserve the moisture, for when
rain falls the water will naturally sink into
the trenches. Then if, as soon as the
ridges are dry, which will be much
sooner than are the trenches, film of
soil is worked down on to this damp
soil in the trenches, it will be an effect
i've mulch to prevent evaporation.