The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-01-19
Planting Trees,

We do not propose writing an essay
upon forestry. That is an important
question, and we heartily second every
movement in that direction. But we
are now writing about planting trees
about the home and orchard for domes-
tic use and for adornment, just as
we have always been doing to some ex-
tent. In many sections We are not
giving enough attention to this line
of farm work.
The Time For Planting-From January
to April we have found to be a good
time to plant all varieties that shed
their foliage in the fall. We do not
recall ever having lost a tree that we
planted just as the sap was rising.
We know there are many who advocate
November planting. We shall not OPP
pose these, but prefer after Christmas
How to Plaintiffs is a matter of
great Importance. The life and use
tulness of many trees may be doubled
by proper planting. Trees as a rule
require deep root beds. They do best
in soil broken very deep. A man, who
planted peach trees by the thousands,
told us that he first tried an one-horse
pillow to prepare his fields. He did
not like the work, and tried a two-horse
pillow. That was not satisfactory, SO he
tried a three-horse. That was better,
but not as good as he desired, so he
tried a good four-horse team. The re-
suit is plainly evident in his trees and
in the fruit they bear, both as to quail
ty and quantity.
Having broken the land thoroughly,
then take dynamite and blow out the
holes. This can be done cheaper than
with mattock and shovel, and a great
deal better. Put two to four ounce
cartridges from two to three feet deep,
and you will have the clay thoroughly
broken from four to six feet deep and
broad.
Into these holes place your trees, and
fill with top earth literally fertilized
with potash, muriate or kainit will do.
The value of potash for fruit has not
been properly studied. 1t increases the
vigor of the trees, helps them to resist
insect pests and fungi, and also makes
the fruit larger and greatly improves
the flavor and color. A little super
phosphate will not be amiss; but be
sure to use the potash. Fill in and
press down firmly, so that the tree
may stand erect against winds.
Cultivation-Keep peach orchards
clean, let grass grow around pecans,
pasture hogs around apple trees, and
you will be likely to have good, sound
fruit. All manures for trees should
be spread broadcast and narrowed in.
When spraying is needed, it should
be done promptly. Insects and fungi
do not wait upon you; you must be
in time to get ahead of them. They
are early birds.
Other Trees.-But we often wish to
plant trees more for ornament and
shade rather than for fruit. If we
would think a little, we would find
that we can generally combine orna-
lions of elms, oaks, cedars, poplars and
naples all over the country useless ex-
cept for shade. We could have pref
tier and more durable and graceful
shade trees that at the same time would
bear very valuable fruit. The pecan
would ill the bill in all respects. 1t
grows in a wide range of climate,
lives long, looks well, and resists winds
and disease better than any of the
others. This valuable tree should be
planted extensively
Are You Planting Trees ?-But the real
point is this, are you arranging to
plant any kind of trees. Or are you
just drifting along, enjoying what some
one else has planted? Trees add great
ly to the beauty of the home, and to
the health and comfort of those who
live there. They rest the eye; they
feed the palate; they invite the stran-
ger. They grow and thrive at little cost
But they die and pass away! Hence
we must be continually planting them.
A great many do not own the places
on which they live, and excuse them
selves for this reason. This is a great
mistake; you should contribute your
share to the happiness of your fellows,
even if you are renter. If everyone
should pursue that policy, how would
you fare? AS you are liable to move
from year to year, you are in condi-
ton to enjoy good trees wherever you
go. So you should leave good trees
wherever you go.
Arbor day is happy conception.
Educate the children to plant trees.