The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-07-01
~ TREE
PLANTING.
Tests From Which Some
k~onishins Facts Were Gathered.
by w. X. Cilbert.)

* tU tree planting e vars
i'm which | participated, may be
h%tereSt.
may premise by stating the extra
harry fact that apple trees planted
". according to current rules as 10
planting, grew better than those I
Itcd in the orthodox way.
rees with injured roots not trim
were huddied into small holes.
soil over them being stamped vio-
Nv and yet they made more growth
trees planted in the usual way |
the roots carefully trimmed to
oil broken or bruised portions.
the following experiments 81
OF trees. $50 in all. consisting Of
Hes. pears. piums and cherries we're
n and the result Of the first year of
trials were rs astounding as those
ntioned above and even still more
Dhatic.
rwo sets Of trees. as nearly as pos
q equal in size and vigor were tried
inst each other in each experiment.,
yet being planted in what is
hally regarded as the correct man
while the trees OF the other set
re stuck into the holes g~ate-post
hion and the soil placed over the
IT'S was rammed heavily while it
g thoroughly puddled.
Dut of ten trials with apple trees
Dse which had been put iii roughly
a rammed gave greater wood
pwth in the first than the
Aers in eight instances. the excess
nsing from 4 to 80 per cent and
e Of the exceptions vas carried out
such a light and sandy soil that
e effect of ramming was slight and
short duration.
was concluded that the effect Of
hurry TO the roots leads to the for
ation Of a fresh set of roots. while
be ramming puts the soil in close
Sntact with the roots and probably
bcrcases it's capilla rity.
As it may be presumed that trees OF
r kinds and not fruit trees alone
kould he similarly affected by the
Methods Of planting. the subject is of
feat importance.
For my part l cannot believe that
he ranming did much damage to the
bots for it is uncomfortable that badly
hashed roots was the result, for ex-
shows that roots SO injured
lOt off.
In speaking Of putting the trees in
mall holes, this is somewhat after the
)tringfeilow method where the roots
n the trees are trimmed off to mere
humps and the tops much the same
Ind the trees are thrust into the holes
Ind rammed. The chief object Of this
vstem is TO make h trees send roots
)Gainst drought.
Great success has attended the sys-
em Of packing the under soil COM
(Actly while keeping the top soil in q
he state OF loOseness by al of re-
nuent cultivation, followed by mulch
hg.
The capillary Of the lower soil is
decreased by it's close packing SO that
rater from below is induced to raise
Abundantly to the roots of the trees
md plants while it's evaporation is
Checked by the fine and loose condi.
hon OF the surface soil.
believe that these experiment.
vent far to prove that a heavier
In OF the soil over the roots
pf trees than is commonly practiced
or ev6en ramming is beneficial. anC
a cutting the roots back, say within
three inches of the stems. cause tn
development of a more healthy ant
vigorous root system than is produced
ny only tipping the bruised ends.
But. az | have said, it seems con
'rary to all reason that the bruiSin,
OF the roots. per sc, is beneficial.
ne compression of the soil in
VIDE hole is desirable to an extern
when 1t Is not too wet. but planting il
a narrow hole where the rOOtS ar
cfamped and curled must be con
uemned in the light of general expert
thce which proves beyond all question
'hat "A wide spread OF fibrous roots i
c~ohoucivc to rapid and health
growth.
What do we find on digging up
owarfed. dying n otherwise unhealth
"ush? Almost. If not invariably, w
see roots cramped and twisted an
almost devoid Of fibres. And VIII
aoes tranSplanting young trees an
pushes IN 4 nursery induce the pro
unct'on Of a mass OF fibrous root.
except as "A consequence of transfer
ence from a stale and compact place
Z" son I'm condition of friabie mould
Almost any practicable degree {
pressure over the roots in plantin
may he advantageous. but il does ne
follow that solidity to check sideway
root growth is also beneficial. If
were 80 the annual digging, or. rathe
lorking OF fruit plantations would ca
Tor condemnation.
experienced growers of fruit most
asree that they always find that tree
planted well i'm acco raedcnwm 1884
planted well in accordance with VIII