The progressive farmer and southern farm gazette. (Starkville, Miss.) 1910-1920, 1910-11-19
SUGGESTIONS FOR TREE-PLANT.
ING TIME.

Messrs. Editors: The fall of the
year is a favorite time for setting
out young trees and vines in the
South. l think it is better to set trees
in the fall than in the spring. Fall
set trees generally grow off better
and a smaller per cent of them die
the first year. When trees are trans
planted in the fall they have a good
opportunity to have the dirt well
settled about their roots by the win
ter rains, and this getting the soil
properly settled means a great deal
Tor the young trees. Then when trees
are set in the fall we are not forced
10 do the work in such hurry as
we often are in the spring.
One of the dangers of fall planting,
and perhaps one of the greatest, is
that of heaving by freezes, and this
can be overcome by placing a fork
ful or straw about the base of each
tree, and then pressing the dirt down
firmly in the early spring.
Some have way Of "heeling" out
their trees in the fall and waiting
till spring to plant. This is not to
be recommended at all, and should
be resorted to only when it is i'm
possible to do otherwise If spring
planting is preferred, then let the
trees remain in the nursery row I'M
til that time If possible.
Choose good stock for planting.
Sh stock does not necessarily call
for the largest plants, but should
consist of strong, healthy ones of
fair size for the age, with good roots
and typical of the variety. 1t is a
mistake to secure low-grade stock,
simply because the price is a few
cents lower. This is what / consider
false economy.
One point not to be overlooked is
the preparation of the land, as 1t
can not be too carefully prepared be-
fore 1t receives the plants. Especi-
ally is this true of the part for
small plants. In the event the land
is planted to trees, such as apples
and peaches, OF course, great deal
OF the soil can be easily worked after
the trees are set, but 1t will generally
be found more satisfactory to attend
TO this work before any of the
ground is occupied with trees.
When ready to set, and where a
la) ye area is to be planted, 1t has
be n found economical to make fur.
re IS along the line of the rows and
OF sufficient depths TO properly re.
ceive the plants. though this is one
OF the features of personal prefer.
ence. 1t is essential to make the holes
that are to receive the plants OF suf.
ficient size and depth that the roots
OF the plant will not be crooked OF
bent, but be In a natural position
and the tree will be little deeper in
the soil when the hole is filled than
when 1t was in the nursery. Use
care in packing the dirt about the
roots of the plant so that it will be
done firmly and uniformly.
All mangled or bruised roots
should be removed before setting In
the ground. 1t is the custom to cut
back the tops proportionally to the
amount OF the root system that has
been lost. This cutting back of fall
set trees is preferred by some to be
deferred until the following spring.
On one-year-old peach trees it is a
good idea to remove all side branches
ieaving the tree mere whip. If
young trees were frequently treated
to hard rubbing while in the nur-
sery row they will need no side