34 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



When it comes to planting your lawns and grounds, above all 

 things avoid rows. Plant singly and in clusters; if you are not 

 an expert, a good way to get at this — if you intend to plant in the 

 spring — is to commence now. Get a bundle of stakes five or six 

 feet long, lath will do. Set them in clusters as you propose to 

 plant your trees. Place them so as to hide unsightly objects, and 

 yet leave a clear view of points beyond, that may be desirable. 

 Then from time to time view them from various standpoints, a 

 window or other place of advantage, and change location as you 

 find they hide something you wish to be seen fronra salient point, 

 or leave exposed a view you wish to shield. I venture to say that 

 between now and the time for planting you will get them very well 

 arranged. 



How to plant. In the first place do not be afraid of getting 

 the holes too large for the trees. Take a little more time and 

 have at least three or four inches of space all arouncl to spare, 

 especially if it is in sod or hard ground. Cut away broken parts 

 and smooth the ends of the roots with a sharp knife, or shears. 

 If the ground is dry throw in a pailfull or two of water for each 

 tree, when it is half filled with loose soil. In the case of large 

 trees where there is a mass of roots and consequently many cavi- 

 ties, water is the best thing to wash the soil down among the roots 

 and make it compact; a very desirable object to attain. Do not 

 plant to exceed two inches deeper than the tree originally stood. 

 When you have filled up well around your tree, tramp it and 

 tramp it hard. The better the soil is firmed around the tree, the 

 surer its growth. 



Now as to fourthly and lastly or After care : This is an import- 

 ant matter and one that is shamefully neglected all over the coun- 

 try, from the man who plants an additional shrub in his yard, to 

 the pioneer on our Western borders, who is trying to perfect a 

 tree claim. How often do we find a tree set and then left to 

 struggle for itself with weeds and grass , in connection with drought , 

 severe heat and cold. Where it is possible, keep your ground 

 well cultivated, keep the weeds down and the surface of the ground 

 well stirred, and you will not lose many trees, if tbey were well 

 planted, and you will get double the growth you would otherwise 

 get. Where cultivation is not desirable, mulching cannot be over 

 estimated. Use almost anything from coarse manure to old straw, 

 or even weeds ; in fact I am not sure but grass and weeds are the 

 cheapest, most convenient and just as good, if the mulching is 

 only done in time. Take your scythe in June and mow all the 

 weeds along the roadside, and place them around your trees, and 

 you will find you have " killed two birds with one stone," in that 

 you have prevented the weeds from going to seed, have secured 

 an increased growth of your trees, and in many cases have saved 

 their lives. There is another advantage in this, and that is the 

 tidiness and better appearance your roadside will present. 



