The rules for the planting of fruits are simple and of almost universal applicability, from the herbaceous strawberry to the strong wood of the Apple-tree; and yet more loss by death occurs from negligent or mistaken planting, than from any other cause. In consequence, not only does the purchaser sustain great disappointment and loss, but the seller often much more severely suffers in the reputation of his plants. A new tree may replace the buyer's loss, but the seller's loss is not so confined in limit, nor is it nearly so easily remedied. For all practical purposes, it may be assumed that a good tree or plant will never die except from bad treatment; and the converse is to a great extent true. No tree may be expected to prosper under negligent treatment.

In considering the points of good treatment, the soil may be first noticed. None but good fertile soil, that has been well "aerated " or "weathered" by lying near the surface, should come in contact with the roots; and this, although it need not be sifted, should be fine enough to pass through a sieve. Nothing that is properly called manure should be suffered to come near the roots. Manure that has, by repeated workings in the compost heap, so far returned to the condition of very rich soil or mold as to be destitute of odor or acridity, may be thoroughly worked into the soil that is to lie below the roots, but not so near as to receive their early growth. This may also be placed above them, and in the same relation. Good fertile soil affords the best possible medium in which to obtain a good healthy growth. Its mechanical condition must be observed, having it neither too clayey nor too coarsely or openly sandy. In this a great range is allowable in almost every thing that is planted, only the very adhesive soil must have its compactness frequently broken by working, and must always contain enough of vegetable fibre or mold to secure the porosity that will allow water to pass through it with a due degree of facility.

The sandy soil, on the other hand, must not be so open, in the first place, as to let its fertility fall away and be lost; and it is equally important that the roots shall have sufficient protection from the direct action of the atmosphere. Soil may be so open that roots will tend to take the action of surface wood, and cease to perform their functions. In many cases not only is the roller indicated over the general surface, but particular attention called for in compressing the soil about the roots. For such cases, a plentiful addition of pretty adhesive compost is the only effectual permanent cure. On very open soils, Apples, Pears, and Grapes will often at first exhibit surprising vigor, but fail, and even die, after the first effort at the production of a crop. A well-prepared hole or border will always obviate this, and from such ground accelerated ripening may be expected to counterbalance the additional care required.

When remarkable vigor is desired, it is best attained by placing well-rotted manure over the roots, with at least two or three inches of intervening soil, so that it may reach their mouths in mild solution; but it may be remarked, in passing, that the most healthful and permanently productive vigor is obtainable by care in cultivation only, without extraordinary enrichment or any forcing process. The normal energy of vegetation will work out its best results, both in the formation of strong, healthy wood and abundance of excellent fruit, when its daily wants are always fully supplied, without ever having the supply in excess. The leaves, by their development and firm, fleshy texture, or the contrary, will very clearly indicate the quality of the expected result, and the great desideratum is to produce an abundance of foliage that shall endure the whole season.

While aiming at the attainment of the judicious mean in planting, it should be borne in mind that too rapid growth at the beginning is as injurious as if it were too weak, and that the means of sustaining a uniformity of growth for a long or indefinite period must be provided for at planting.

The depth of planting is always regulated by the depth at which the plant previously grew. Many kinds have great power of readjusting the "collar" or point where root joins surface-wood, and the age of the tree or plant has something to do with the ability to sustain a great shock to its nature in this respect. Those that root readily as cuttings are least likely to be destroyed by too great depth; but countless numbers of pears on quince stocks and young grape-vines are killed yearly by this cause. The Plum and Peach, particularly in heavy soils, if not killed at once by great abuse in this way, are doomed to a languishing and unproductive existence. It is unnecessary to speak of the kinds which suffer most, for all are greatly injured by disregard of this rule. Even when the intention is right, trees that are planted in recently prepared borders or holes that have been deeply worked are often subjected to this disaster, from settling of the ground after they are planted. This should be provided for by making the soil sufficiently compact below the roots before the trees are set. Young and valuable vines are most frequently of all destroyed in this way; and those which have the best and most abundant roots are more in danger than those which are scarcely more than cuttings.

It is desirable, and often indispensable, to have the principal roots of the vine below the severe action of frost, or rather alternation of freezing and thawing, as well as sudden drought. Hence for the vine a special plan has been adopted, which secures always the best results when it is carefully carried out. If the ground has been recently prepared, it needs the compacting spoken of for trees, so that it will settle but little, if at all, during the first season. An excavation is then made, at least six inches in depth, and better if eight, or, in very light soils, ten, and considerably greater in diameter than will give uncramped entertainment to all of the roots that remain after the root pruning, which is always required in well-rooted plants. This soil is to remain in a heap during the season, and the present surface of the hole is to be considered and treated as the surface in reference to the vine for the first season. To plant the vine, another excavation is made to the depth of four or five inches, and the soil is returned to cover the roots, thus leaving an excavation of the depth above mentioned for one season.