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Show TliUNE ROOT SYSTEM OF NEWLY SET TREE The t innspliinl in nf iiuist decldu-ou decldu-ou fruit trees niul of liuiiiy other pliuils Is usuiilly lu'i'oinpitnled by the loss of a considerable pnrt of Hi" lurjj" roots mid of Hie illirous roots, nnd by the destruction of pructleiilly nil of (lie root Imli's. llel'oro nctlvo nlisorp-tlon nlisorp-tlon cim hi'Klu nfior t raiisplmitliiK, muv root lmlrs must be formed; and these new root lmlrs will bo Conned only on new brunch rootlets. In order to ciU'ouniKO u rnpld tU'velopnient of these hnuich rootlets und root lmlrs, the root system that wns formed lu the nursery should he pruned. This fact is often overlooked, says 10. U. linwl, assistant extension hortlciltui'st at Clemson college. With peaches, apples and plums tho roots should he shortened to a length of about six or elK'ht Indies on all sides. All Illirous roots less thtin an eighth or n quarter of an Inch la diameter diam-eter may be removed entirely. 1'liose tine roots which are usually dead (u ordinary nursery stock is received) make It dllllcult to pack the soil In contact with the main roots. All broken or badly mangled roots should be cut back to firm wood. When the roots aro pruned In this manner they will soon callus over; otherwise many of the long broken or bruised roots will decay, nnd fibrous roots and root lmlrs will form very slowly when spring growth Is Initiated. The knife Is much more convenleut than shears for trimming the roots. The trees should never be planted before the land has been thoroughly prepared by deep plowing nnd harrowing. har-rowing. The holes should be dug only deep nnd wide enough to ncconimodato the root system conveniently. If the main roots are pruned to a Ituigth of six Inches, then a hole 14 Inches In diameter will be -sufficiently large. If the hole Is either too deep or too shallow, shal-low, this should be remedied befora placing the tree. The first few shovels of earth should be fine, nnd the planter should hold the tree firmly In place with one hand, nnd distribute the soil under nnd over the roots with the other. The roots should be carefully spread out In nil directions, more soil spread over them nnd finned under nnd around the roots nnd Into the crotches. If the soil Is In good condition nnd not too wet, there Is no danger of packing pack-ing It too firmly. The top Inch or two of soil should not be packed but left loose ns n mulch. When the planting Is finished, the ground about the tree should be level. The tree should be planted the same depth in the orchard ns It stood in the nursery row, though there Is no harm In planting It one-half one-half to one Inch deeper than It stood In the nursery row. |