Free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1888-1908, 1906-03-10
SETTING Trees on HiIIsldes.

After having my attention called to
a number of articles written by prac-
teal orchardists on setting trees,
have felt it a duty that some one
briefly present the other side of the
question bearing on the subject herein
referred to. viz, the advisabillty Oh
blowing up a grass side hill to set an
orchard. Not being conversant with
the many surroundings and dinerent
environments that should always pc
taken into account, can only venture
a few suggestions resting on genera1
principles. If the side hill site tnat
has been referred to in your former
issues extends to the top Of the orcn-
ard or perhaps further up above H.
should very much prefer to set trees
in sod. refer to the great Northwest
and not south of Chicago There are
very few orchards over the Nortu-
west that are not now in grass. Where
the orchards have been left to go
| through winter here on cultivated soiA
where potatoes and other vegetables
have left the ground bare, the trees
have, as rule, fallen victims tc root
killing and always will till we succeed
in growing our choice apples TOP
worked on extra-hardy stock.
I will give the plan have followed
for many years in setting trees, ano
especially in setting trees on south
hill, remove the end about three
feet across the place where l Intend
to set the tree. Dig the hole first bS
taking off the sod. Place this to one
side. Then place the next six inches
on the other side. The balance l puF
out on either side. ! dig each hole
about two feet deep nearly out TO the
edge of the SOD on the outside.
Then l dig down the outside OF the
upper edge of the hole surface dirt
enough to raise the roots OF the tree
about seven inches from the bottom.
Then / adjust the roots. II any ap'
pear to be too long and spindllng
clip them Off Next l examine the
tree very closely and especially II i
is to occupy site where sun injury
I is likely to occur Set the stem point
ing to one o'clock sun, and never wesi
of half-past one. Set all princlpa
branches toward the sun and see tina
no leading branches are left CROWNS
e to the northeast or north. Cut sucl
J. off smooth to the trunk soon ate
t setting.
> then cover the roots with the ricl
s. surface earth first taken out Cove
; the roots we'll and press the cart
down by walking over the roots. The
( l throw in more earth and stomp
u down all over thoroughly and neve
: neglect to keep hacking down tn
Il sides of the hole and stomping tn
. earth firmly all around the outside {
= the hole, so that in a weeks tim
I, the hole will not hold lots of waite
II and in dry time when the tree need
y the moisture that is trying to reac
" the roots through it's capillary attra'
! ton it can reach it at once and nc
~ stop outside of the hole for the lac
y. of connection.
~ When the hole is nearly full. tax
the sod, invert it and spread 1t owe
- the hole, leaving the surface slight
~ dishing towards the tree Clip O
=. small twigs on the sun side where b
~ so doing all openings can be close
- But in rare cases don't ever clip c
~ the shady side of tree. But as a ru
e cut all leading branches, making mort
ie or northwest of close to the trunk
y. Edison Gaylord, Floyd Co., Iowa,
~ Farmers Review.