The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-12-24
Fall Planting of Fruit Trees.

ran Planting or Fruit Trees.
(The publication of the following paper read
at the November meeting of the Horticultural
Society by Mr.. A. N. Mitchell. has been IN
ayOidably delayed. But even at this late date
it will doubtless be read with general interest)
The question, (Which is the better
time to plant an orchard, spring or
fall?" has been discussed perhaps
more than any other by horticultural.
lists and farmers desiring to put out
young fruit trees. And as much as it
has been talked about, it is no nearer
= solution than it was q quarter of 8
century ago. Good arguments have
been presented in favor Of each and
many of them are very plausible ones,
Sometime since very prominent
horticulturalist was asked his opinion
and his reply was, "Tell me what
kind of season we will have and l
will tell you the best time to plant
your fruit trees"
After thirty years observation and
experience in handling nursery stock
1 have about come to the conclusion
that for most kinds of fruit trees it
makes but little difference as to sea-
son if weather conditions are equally
favOrble. The whole secret in the
successful growing of trees in Kansas
is one of moisture, if they have been
properly planted aud afterward at
tended to.
Trees are usually planted, in the
fall about the first week in Novem her.
If the ground is moist and continues
so until it freezes there is little doubt
but your planting will be a success.
If the ground settles, the young
tibres will start in early spring thus
making better growth and be in the
very best condition to resist the
drought the following summer. This
is the reason l have been rather ia
vorable to fall planting. On the 9TH
er hand if the soil is dry at that sea-
son of the year there is danger of
freezing up in that condition which
is very fatal to young trees. In very
dry weather like the present Novem-
Der it 10 better for those receiving
trees to heel them in the ground, US
ing plenty ofwater at the time and
cover so the ground will not freeze as
deep down as the roots of the trees.
Let them remain until about the last
of February or first of March before
setting out in the orchard. At that
time ifthe ground has been kept moist
around the roots of the trees, they
will be in fine condition for planting.
They will receive the benefit of the
early spring rains and will have a
decided advantage over those planted
later in the season.
These remarks as to fall planting
refer especially to apple, pear, plum,
and cherry trees. think, taking the
average Kansas season it is better to
set out peach and all small fruits In
the spring of the year. 1 believe my
friend HOagland, who is good author
ity on tree planting, will differ with
me on the last proposition as he is a
believer of planting all varieties in
the fall. The objection to setting out
peach trees in the fall is that if we
have very cold winter they are liza
BILE to be frozen, being very tender at
one year old.
However much we may differ as to
the time of transplanting young fruit
trees, there seems to be no difference
of opinion as to care and cultivation |
Heavy mulching is very
necessary so as to retain moisture and |
by that means keep the young trees
alive and growing during the long |
dry summer months. Many failures |
may be attributed to extreme dry |
weather soon after planting. and in |
most cases could have been prevented |
by thorough cultivation or heavy
with half rotted straw or |
prairie hay.
L have seen trees do well without |
any of this extra care, but those cases |
are exceptional ones and under very |
favorable weather conditions. If you |
will plant your trees right and give
hem the proper attention they should |
have you will make a success oft and |
never regret that you have devoted a
lew acres of your 100 to fruit raising.
Fry it,