The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1902-1905, 1904-01-22
The Farm and Grove.
ABOUT TRANSFORMING TREES.
Copyrighted by Rural Press syndicat
II. E. STOcKBRIDGE, PHI. D., Editor.

Methods must of course vary with
the kind of tree. There are certain
principles, however, which apply to
all~trees, and the transgression of
which will lead to misfortune.
The time of transplanting is the
first important consideration Sea-
son of the year is absolutely of no
consequence, except in its relation to
| the condition of the tree. This con-
dition of the tree is the controlling
| factor. Absolute dormancy is the
condition essential to success. Could
this condition be found in mid-sum-
mer, as is the case with some ever
green trees, this would be the best
time for transplanting. Some trees
have more than one dormant period
| yearly. This is true of the orange in
particular. This dormant time is the
proper time for setting out in new
location, irrespective of the actual
time of year. AS it is true that it is
darkest just before dawn, so the tree
is most dormant, nearest lifeless, just
| before its period of greatest activity,
that is its blooming time. This
therefore is the time for transplant
ing. The tree is nearly lifeless, and
suffers least from removal. 1t is just
on the verge of starting into full life.
1t does start and Immediately recup-
crates from the shock to its system.
For these reasons deciduOus trees
are best replanted in late winter and
earliest spring. The orange has Il
blooming period in early summer,
preceded by its second period of
dormancy. This is therefore also a
satisfactory time for transplanting
this tree, and other citrus.
The age of planting is the next inn
portant consideration. This must
depend on the kind of tree, there be-
ing such great variations in precOsi-
ty. The younger the tree the better,
may be accepted as safe rule. 1t is
| true that with great care COMPARE
lively mature trees may be safely
transplanted, but even with the best
of care and most approved methods
and appliances, it is doubtful if any
ultimate gain is obtained in the
growth of the tree. The only advan-
tage is the having Of larger tree i'm
mediately after the removal The
young tree will, however, in a COM
paratiyely short time overtake and
pass the older.
The methods to be followed are
naturally largely dependant on kind
of tree and soil into which it is
placed. Irrespective of all consider
ations, there can be no doubt that
wherever practical, that is wherever
TIE Tree is not to be transported con-
siderable distance before being set
out, the baliing system of treating
the roots should be followed. 1t
consists simply of protecting the
tree roots, as they are taken from
their original place of growth, with q
ball of clay. This excludes the air,
keeps the roots moist and enables
them to start most quickly and with
least shock. For trees not treated
in this way, trees transported from
distant nurseries, the question of the
quantity of root to be left on the tree
is important, and there are advocates
of all gradations from the Stringfel-
low bare pole to the complete root
system of the original tree. Charac-
ter of soil will be a controlling factor.
In stiff clay lands, where cost of
holes is an important consideration,
and moisture is abundant the bare
pole succeeds. On light soils where
the reverse conditions prevail this
method has little to commend it.
Irrespective of systems, there are
a few principles not to be overlooked.
All injured roots should be removed,
| by clean cuts. Holes should be large
enough to receive all remaining roots
without cramping and in as near to
their natural position as possible
| The greatest care should be taken to
prevent exposure of the roots to the
sun even for short time. The tap
roots of pecans and oranges should
be partly removed. One foot of
| length is all that should be preserved
The hole should be partly filled with
fine soil; in this hole should be
thrust for the tap-root. The tree
should always be set a little higher
than it originally grew to allow for
settling. The soil should always be
carefully sifted in and around the
roots by hand. When the hole is
nearly filled it should be filled in
with water. This will give the roots
the immediate supply of moisture
needed, and pack the soil close to
them, excluding all air. The hole
should then be filled with soil little
| higher than the surrounding level.
| This will hold the tree in place, allow
for settling and prevent the evapOra-
ton of the water used. Decidious
trees should have been trimmed to
bare stems before setting out. Ever
greens should be deprived of about
half of their foliage. With citrus
trees it is better to carefully clip off
| half of each leaf instead of removing
One-half the entire foliage. This re-
moval of foliage is necessary to bal
ance the roots and leaves, otherwise
evaporation from the leaves will be
greater than the injured reduced
roots can supply, whiting will be in
creased and the shock proportionally
greater.
These methods assure quickest
start and most rapid growth.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
What is the best grain for laying
hens? Answer. When the question
of cost is excluded, wheat stands
much ahead of all other grains. Oats
are better than corn. The latter is
too fattening except in the coolest
weather. In our climate it should
never be fed oftener than once a day,
then preferably just before roosting
time. Bran, neat-meal and gluten
feed are the best materials for bal
ancing the feed of corn, which for
economy's sake we may not wholly
exclude from poultry rations.
Is it true that nitrate of soda makes
fruit sour on trees fertilized with it?
Answer. | do not believe there is
any foundation for this belief former