We have tried all kinds of prescriptions and have never killed a stump which had a mind to live.  Many trees can be killed by cutting to stumps when in full growth, whether they are bored or not.  Others will sprout in spite of all medicinal insertions we know of when these are placed in the inner wood of the stump.  We believe a stump can be killed by sufficient contact with the inner bark layer of arsenic, bluestone, gasoline, and many other things, but it is not easy to arrange for such sufficient contact, and it would probably cost more than it would to blow or pull out the stump.  One reader, however, assures us that he has killed large eucalyptus stumps by boring three holes in the stump with an inch auger, near the outer rim of the stump, placing therein a tablespoonful of potassium cyanide and saltpeter mixture (half and half), and plugging tightly.  Another says:  Give the stumps a liberal application of salt, say a half-inch all over the top, and let the fog and rain dissolve and soak down, and you will not have much trouble with suckers.

Planting Fruit Trees on Clearings.

We wish to plant orchard trees on land cleared this winter:  manzanita and chaparral, but also some oaks and large pines and groves of small pines.  We have been told that trees planted under such conditions, the ground containing the many small roots that we cannot get out, would not do well.  Are the bad effects of the small roots liable to be serious; also, would lime or any other common fertilizer counteract the bad effects?

Proceed with the planting, as you are ready for it, and take the chances of root injury.  It may be slight; possibly even absent.  Carefully throw out all root pieces, as you dig the hole, and exclude them from the earth which you use in filling around the roots, and in the places where large trees stood, fill the holes with soil from a distance.  Much depends upon how clean the clearing was.  No considerable antiseptic effect could be expected from lime and the soil ought to be strong enough to grow good young trees without enrichment.  The pear, fig and California black walnut are some of the most resistant among fruit-bearing trees, and these may usually be planted with safety.  The cherry is the most resistant of the stone fruits.  The “toadstool” disease occasionally affects young apple trees recently set out, but it is not usually serious on established trees.

Dipping Roots of Fruit Trees.

In planting an almond orchard would it be of any benefit to dip the young trees in a solution of bluestone and lime dissolved?

We doubt if it would serve any good purpose.  If done at all the dip should be carefully prepared in accordance with the formula for bordeaux mixture, for excess of bluestone will kill roots.  Healthy trees do not need such treatment, and we doubt if unhealthy ones can be rendered safe or desirable by it.

Preparing for Fruit Planting.