TRANSACTIONS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NOUTIIEKN ILL 373 



the lumber the trees made. In fifty years from planting, trees will be 

 worth one hundred dollars apiece, and make lumber three feet wide ! 



Mr. Plum — After studying this matter of planting evergreens, I 

 have concluded that nine out of ten of the trees which die are killed by 

 doing too much for them, especially by planting too deep. I tell people 

 to set their trees on the top of the ground, fill in among and put earth 

 over the roots, then mulch, and all will live. I plant shallow and lose 

 no trees ; but always see to it that the soil is well saturated. In answer 

 to a question, he said he planted upon the surface on any soil. He had 

 taken up some trees, dead in the autumn, which were planted the pre- 

 vious spring, and found the upper roots ten inches below the surface of 

 the ground, and attributed the death of the trees to deep planting. 



Mr. McWhorter — I am surprised at Mr. Plum's remarks; I don't 

 think farmers are apt to plant too deeply. I have handled vast numbers 

 of evergreens, and have learned to discriminate as to depth in planting 

 according to the natural habits of the trees. Arbor-vitae, which roots 

 near the surface, should not be planted very deep, while the pines, which 

 naturally root deeply, should be planted deep. I have found more mis- 

 takes in failing to pack the earth sufficiently among and above the roots 

 in planting than in any thing else. The top soil, of course, must not be 

 tramped. 



Mr. Nelson gave the results of his extensive experience in planting 

 evergreens, which agreed with Mr. McWhorter's. He said, in addition, 

 I often use a fork handle in tamping the earth among the roots in plant- 

 ing. I learned about this packing the soil among the roots from Robert 

 Douglas, who probably plants more evergreens than any other man living. 

 After filling up the hole I leave the surface soil loose, and then mulch 

 thoroughly. 



The discussion was continued by others at considerable length, as 

 all appreciated the importance of correct practice in planting trees. 

 The almost uniform testimony was in favor of thorough packing of the 

 soil among the roots, and mulching, or thorough subsequent cultivation ; 

 and the weight of testimony was decidedly in favor of planting a little 

 deeper than the trees previously stood, having the surface drained. 



Mr. Garrison had set several thousands of Scotch pines, using 

 water, and planting a little deeper than they previously stood, with a loss 

 of less than three per cent. 



Mr. Galusha had planted several thousands of evergreens, of different 

 species, from five to ten feet high, in this way, with a loss of not over two 

 per cent. 



