Tree Planting by GEO. GRAHAM

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jun 16, 1904

Tree Planting

By GEO. GRAHAM

WITH reference to the subject of tree planting, on which an article appeared in the REVIEW of May 5, I am impelled to give a simpler and what horticulturists consider a better method than that previously described. It is known as the Stringfellow method, the gentleman who introduced it being H. M. Stringfellow, of Galveston, now of Lampasas, Tex.

He cuts off all roots close up to the body of the tree to be planted, cutting off the top likewise, so that the piece for planting is literally a bald, naked stick about eighteen inches long. Then he makes a hole in the earth with a crow-bar, inserting the piece and ramming it tight with soil. He does this on grass land, unplowed, simply cutting the grass away with a hoe in a circle of eighteen inches in diameter around each tree. He also applies commercial fertilizer. This method has proved entirely successful, and leading horticulturists in several States have adopted the plan.

I myself planted a small mixed orchard of peaches and plums eight years ago, and did not lose one tree. My land had been in cotton. I simply ran a shallow furrow to make a line, running a furrow across to mark places for the trees. I made a hole as deep as I could force a digging spade, say ten to twelve inches, a helper cutting off all roots and sufficient of the top, and thrusting the naked stump into the aperture. The spade, having been withdrawn, was then used to press the soil to the tree, this being followed by firmly stamping with the foot.

Care must be taken to fill up the space made by the spade, so that there is no air cavity where the roots will start. Two seasons ago, on March 30, I planted three hundred fruit-trees, and there are now no finer trees to be seen. I apply this method in planting all fruit-trees and dewberries and blackberries.

GEO. GRAHAM.