Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-05-01

object 10 20 briefly set forth some OF
the claim made regarding the age ct
which to set treeg. 2
From nurseryman's standpoint 1t
is more convenient and economical TO
grow q solid block OF trees up to tho
usual time Of digging. That IL. one
year with peaches. and two years or
three years for the other. fruits de-
pending on variety and method OF
propagation. They want to avoid az
much as possible the necessity Of send
Ing q force Of men into the ons-year
block to dig by hand the best trees. The
tree digger does much moro rapid
work, and the cost of growing the stock
is lessened, II al the trees are dug At
one operation.
One and Two Year Old Trsss Com
pared.
One-year-old trees are the cheapest;
they come into bearing about the same
time az older trees. II not sooner; the
root system is not 20 badly injured in
transplanting, making the trees less
to recover and to start into growth
more quickly; the height OF the trunk
and the general formation Of branches
may be started to suit the grower. and
the branches developing the drst year
may often be used to form the frame
work Of the tree.
A 2-year-old tree fs said 70 bear
sooner than a yearling. It is usually q
larger, and more vigorous tree. and 10
less likely to be broken down the first
year after the orchard is set. Some
growers have neither the time nor the
skill to form the head Of the tree: 1t 10
formed for him by the nurseryman In
the 2-year- old tree.
1t will be noted that the age OF bear
ing is In dispute. There does not ap-
pear to be sufficient data at hand to
settle this question under all conol-
tons. Strong claims are made. ana
with some show OF reason. that 1-year
trees properly handled may be mace 10
bear fully as early as, II not earlier
than, 2-year- old trees. 1t costs the
nurseryman more to grow tree sew
eral years, so that higher price must
be charged for the older trees. ana tho
expense OF transportation and OF set
ting is also increased.
Those who desire low-headed trees
often find it necessary to purchase Il
year-old stock, heading to suit them
selves as older trees have their heads
formed in the nursery apd are often too
high for the purpose desired. Strong
vigorous, 1-year-old trees are often IN
a few years fully as large as some
trees years old when set. Not al
yearling trees. however, branch uni
formly and such trees require more
care in pruning to bring the orchafo
into uniform condition.
Much Depends on the Variety.
The fact must not be overlooked that
some varieties require three years 70
make desirable trees for setting. nad
yearling trees Of strong growing varl-
etics are often as large as 2-year-oid
trees Of other varieties. Much de-
pends on the habit Of growth OK the
variety. Each kind Is more or less
characteristic in it's growth. Many
trees have naturally poorly SNAPPED
heads, crooked trunks or poorly oe-
veioped root system. Inferior STOCK
however, of all varieties should De
avoided. Such trees may be oousn'
at a low price. but In the end are
mos. expensive.
The tendency today. IN many places,
is toward the purchase OF l-year -o'o
rtaier than 2-year- trees. We. now
ever. must be governed by circum-
stances and by the habi: Of tho variety.
size alone, or even age alone, Is not an
index of the true value.
It Is probable. all things CONSIDERED.
that Iow-headed 7-year-old trees. Wen
branched. we'll grown. but not over
grown. are most satisfactory Tor the
average orchardist who IL not an ex-
pert along this line. II suitable STOCK
of that age can no. be secured. the l.
wear trees will usually be found satis-
factory We must not lose sight OF the
fact that age is not one OF the most
important factors OF orchardins. Ihere
are many successful orchards OF l, .. or
even 3-year-oid trees when set. age
or size IL not no important as the thor
ough preparation Of the home OF the
tree-the soil--and the amount OK IN
te,lieent care given both to the tree
and to the soil, especially in regard 10
pruning, spraying, applying plant-fooo
and the character Of cultivation given.