The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-20
starting Orchards In the south.


DR.. Jones Ia Planters Journal writes:
November is the best month for setting
out fruit trees Growth has then stopped
and the trees have entered upon their win
ter sleep The shock of removal is then
about as small as It ever VIII be, and set
ting out now gives longest time for dirt
10 settle about the roots and establish good
contact with them. Until such contact is
established the roots are practically in the
same condition as if they were out of the
ground except they are exposed 10 wind
and air The roots cannot absorb any
thing from tho soil unless they touch il,
and the more completely and psrftciy
they touch it. the more they can absorb
from it. One of the first requirements
then in setting out trees is TO pack the
dirt thoroughly and closely about the
roots. The next important thing is to es-
tablish sonnet hing like a natural ratio be-
tween the roots and the stem and
branches. As every large part of the roots
are unavoidably cut off and left behind In
taking up a tree, the top should be proper
tionaNy-or even more than proporttonally
reduced. In the case of one year cd
peaches, all the limbs may be cut off ana
the main stem reduced to two or three
feetviu length. one reason why such re-
duction Is important is, that whilst the
roots are reduced In quantity and have
not yet established good relations with
the soil so they can absorb moisture free
~, a small portion above ground will pre-
sent less surface for evaporation-the tree
Is not so apt to dry UP during winter. An
other reason is, that when active growth
in spring begins, II there are many leaves.
the evaporation from them viii carry off
more water than the roots can absorb
from the soil. and the tree is again liable
Ia dry have little In tr
to carry on the necessary circulation of
It's sap. If 1t does not die 1t Is weakened.
Holes large enough to allow the roots to
extend naturally in every direction, with
out being cramped, and deep enough to
allow the roots to slope gradually down
ward, should be dug. Roots naturally
grow In the directions indicated; it gives
them more forag ng ground and tirmer hold
upon the earth. AS roots come from the
stem, some higher and some lower, the
lowest should be spread out first and COW
cred, the dirt being firmly pressed upon
them. The next set should be spread out
and covered as before, and so GU until
the hole is filed Pressing the dirt firmly
upon the roots is of the first Importance,
and this cannot be done by tramping only
after the hole is filled. 1t is also of first
Importance to have a tree start off vigor-
ously in the spring and establish itself
well the first season, otherwise it may take
q long time, or never fully, to recover
from the shock incident to being moved.
II set out in a careless, sloven manner it
will not be able to do this; If the land is
very poor it will not be able to do il, IN
less 1t Is properly manured; if the land
is poorly prepared and not well cultivated
in spring and summer 1t will not do 1t.
Never get in a big hurry when setting out
treesLit is one work which is certainly
worth doing well. Set the tree a little
deeper In the ground than 1t naturally
grew just enough to allow for the set
Ting. of the loose dirt in the hole Mound
up sufficiently around the tree to shed rain
water, and prevent the soil about the roots
from being water-sogged.