GARDEN NOTES.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 7, 30 April 1920, Page 3

GARDEN NOTES.

TRANSPLANTING FRUIT TREES. As the season for transplanting fruit and other trees and plants is again near at hand no time should be losfc in preparing the soil, planning out the ground, &nd making every preparation t" at would assist to expedite the work of planting when the trees are ready for lifting. Too often little or no attention is given to these m&tters until the trees are ready for planting, when holes are hurriedly dug, in many instances in virgin soil that has not prcviously been pulverised, and the trees planted. Failure can only result from such methcd of planting, for although trees may remain alive, for a time at least, it is almost impossible for them to make any headway under such treatinent. TO G.R0W TREES WELL, To grow trees successfully the soil requires equally as good treatmenb as for any other crop. The advantage of having the ground well prepared and placed in the best possible condition for planting, particularly for ypung trees, is in favour of the planter every time. It is, in fact, on aocount of seeing so many failures with trees that have been planted in soils that scarcely any other crop would be expected to grow in that attention is so frequently drawn to the importanee of placing the sod in such condition as will, with reasouablc after-culture, ensure success. FTTTURE SUCCESS OF TREES. If. should be borne in rnind that the future success of trees depends upon the treatment they receive in planting, and during the first thrce or four years of their growth. The amount of preparation the soil needs will naturally vary according to its character, and the treatment previously given. In lands of a light, porous nature, that have alrcady been under crop very little preparation will be required. Much of the land, however, selected for orchards, ig of a fairly stiff retentive nature, and need thorough working to bring it in good form for planting. In such lands, too, thorough drainage is of the grcatest importanee, as stagnant water is most injurious to all kinds of fruit trees. Deep double working, i| the land is of an undulating character, will often provide sufficient drainage. In every case, however, there must be free outlet for surplus moisture or the trees cannot thi ive. PREPARING FOR PLANTING. In preparing the holes for planting, prcviding the subsoil ig of a stiff clay nature, the holes should in no ca.se be dug below whare the soil has been previously fcroken up. Last Jear my attention was drawn to some holes that had been dug oji in soil of a clay nature, and at the time of seeing them there must have been at least a 1ft to I8in of water in them, wiihout any appearance of an outllow. It is far better to dig only the depth of the suiface soil, if the subsoil has not been broken up, than to make wells, in which water can accumulate. TREES AND MOISTURE, All fruit-growers know* that a certain anmunt of molsture in the soil is necessary to keep the tree3 in a healthy growing condition, but this must not be in excess, and on no accoimt must it .be stagnant. Yct this without doubt is the cause of many failures. Soils on the other hand tha\- are of a free, open nature, can be decply dug with advantage. In every case it is an advantage to have the holes prepared before the time of planting, as it allows the soil to pulverise and sweeten, though manure should not be applied until planting takes place. WHEN TO PLANT.

Planting should in no case be done while the soil is in a sodden condition, for in order to assist the roots to strike into lh^ soil as quiekJy as possible it is requisite to press the soil firmly about the roots. But if this is done while the soil ?s very wet it becomes puddied, and as sr.on as it dries is a solid mass, v«fhich cracks open as soon as dry weather is experiencied. Where trees are received from a distance one cannot always onsure stiitahle weather for planting immediately upon their arrival, so tliat temporary Lying in the. soil is the only safe means of keeping the trees sound until the planting ing ean be done. LA YERING TREES. If trees are layered and left in this way for any length of time they are almost sure to make young fife-ous roots, so that great care must be in their

removal or many of the yonng roots will be dostroyed in the operation. In manuring the soil for young trees care should be taken not to place the manure immediately upon the roots. It is better to bhoroughly incorporate the manure with the soil, so that as soon as young fresh roots are made they can derrve the greatest benefit from its use.