TRANSPLANTING YOUNG TREES.

Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 336, 9 July 1874, Page 2

TRANSPLANTING YOUNG TREES.

Though to a certain extent anticipating our proposed series on " Orchard, planting," it is thought that, as tl c pa nting season has arrived already, and many of our readers may bo anxious to get on early with their intended planting operatons, it will be more likely to do good, and be a convenience, to place before them at once some plain directions and remarks on transplanting young trees which may serve to guide the inexperienced, if not to correct errors, oiten met with, in the practice of those, who aro not without some experience. When oxtensive planting is intended, and the kinds of fruits to be planted fixed upon, the most important point, after the site has been fixed upon and its area enclosed and prepared for the purpose, is the proem ing of the young trees. In most cases these will have to procured from nurserymen. And in all cases of large planting it is the best plan to do so, in commencing the business. For several reasons it would be a good plan to purchase the trees a year in advance ; that is the season before the 01 chard is to be planted. As a rule the young trees supplied will be maidens — that is, trees of one season's growth from the budding or grafting — and aro the best suited, in our climate, for safe carriage and convenient packing.. They should bo loot

pruned, anil their tops heailetl to two, three, or four feet, according to the length of stem the planter desires they should have, and then planted in nursery rows three feet apart, and eighteen inches in the rows, there to remain until the following season. For this purpose a nice piece of ground not too much sheltered, should be selected. The soil should be of a light and friable nature, and unless very poor it should not be manured. This plan will not only give a year longer to prepare the orchard ground, complete the drainage, etc., but there are other other advantages attending it. Planted in the nursery voavs there will generally be fewer losses, because the trees injured 41111 weakened by rough usage in lifting, packing, and carriage, will be put into the soil with less delay, and generally the soil will be much better suited to then speedily taking root than, that of the orchard ground. There will also be afforded at the next removal another chance of pruning .and putting to rights any irregularity or deformity of the roots. This opportunity is not afforded when the trees are planted for good, in the first instance. This additional root-pruning will hasten the fruitfulness of the trees, and tend to prevent their running, into too much wood, which is one of the greatest disadvantages to which young orchards are exposed. Another advantage is that any trees that have an uidiealthy or stunted appearance can be discarded without, as in the other case,, making a gap in the plantation ; or, if left, a continual trouble to 'keep in health or a mere cumberer of the ground. To provide for such trees, as well as losses by death, more young trees should be purchased in the first instancethan are actually required for filling tire intended orchard or plantation. From five to ten or twelve per cent., in addition, according to the length of transit, and the favorable and unfavorable nature of the soil in which they are to be nursed, will be sufficient. .In planting out for good, eaoh station should be. fixed upon and marked by a stake, such a stake a! will afterwards suit for a support, for this if used will save trouble. Apples, pears, and others of large growth should be planted at from twenty to thirty feet apart each way. In fixing their stations it is desirable that when planted the trees should form straight rows in every direction in which they may be looked at. This can only be done by careful measurement, and perfectly straight lines at right angles to each other. When all tbe stations are fixed the holfß may be opened, aad if the soil be of a harsh or •lumpy nature it should be made fine by beating *iwAx thj| back of the spade, or better, fine soil for coverin™ the roots may be provided. On putting the trees in their stations they should never be buried or covered deeper than they had been previously growing (often not so deep). The roots having been previously examined, and bruised or injured ones cut off, should be spread on the loosened soil, at the bottom of the hole, so that their extremities extend away from the stem, and neither cross nor entangle each' other. If the soil be loose and dry, the soil should be solidified among the roots by pouring a gallon or more if required, of water upon it after it is placed over the roots, generally treading firmly, but not too forcibly with the foot will suffice. In treading it is necessary to preserve the stem in a perpendicular position. A stake must then ba driven close to the stem, and the ties made. The planting is then complete, -fal soon as convenient afterwards mulching should W placed round each tree. It should not/be less than > three or, four inches deep and spread over a space, four feet or so in diameter. This mulching is seldom applied in this country, while it is seldom omitted in other countries where its necessity is not nenrly so great as it is here. Too much care cannot be exercised in all the operations. There are many permanent defects in trees that aie blamed to other causes, and which in^ realitj r have their origin in the knocking about the trees receive while being handled for transplanting. Trees should never have their roots exposed in frosty weather, and »s little as possible in :>%* weather. They should oirly be- taken to the intended orchard site when everything is piepared for their immediate reception. This is very commonly neglected. Young trees are often taken to thej ground, and left with tlieir roots exposed for houisj and sometimes days before they are finally planted. , • while.there is no necessity for so exposing them more than a few minutes at most. When trees ai c received from a nitrsary they should be unpacked immediately, and laid in by tbe heels in rows, singly in a shaded spot of light soil, watered-over the top • as well as at the roots, and covered with a cloth for a few clays. They can then be taken, a few jWi time as wanted, for planting, and should have their ■ roots covered while out of the soiL Some kinds, of trees, we need hardly say, are far ■ more impatient of.root exposure than others. But it is certain that every kind of tree suffers more or less from it, and therefore too much attention cannot be paid to its preservation. It is no reason for neglecting it, that some trees will survive, and do well, after much exposure. Attending to this and avoiding deep planting, and planting while saturated with water, and fewer compkmts of want of success, , and fewer instances of backbound trees, atf£ trees suffering from chronic sickness of kinds,, would be met with. Fruit-planting irtstead of being the unimportant matter it is generally supposed, is . in reality of' first importance, and the want of attention to it will often render useless the most intelligent and assiduous care in all other operations, before or after the formation of the orchard. w We have only touched upon some of the points, which, as said before, more immediately refer to the * present time of the year, intending to treat the subject more fully under the general head of " Orchard Planting,"