240 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



some effect on making trees deep-rooted, but more, doubtless depends 

 on the nature of the soil. 



Brace-Boots. 



If the ground is a hard clay in the bottom of the holes it will 

 pay to haul good earth and put a shovelful or two in each hole. As 

 the tree is lined up, it should be placed so that the large or main roots 

 are in line with the prevailing wind. It will be noticed by those handling 

 trees that the largest or main roots usually grow in directly opposite 

 directions from the base of the trunk, and seldom at right angles to 

 each other. These large roots form a sort of root axis, and are some- 

 times known as the brace-roots of the tree. If care is taken in setting 

 the tree, so that the brace-roots are in line with the prevailing wind, 

 the tree will be firmly fixed and not easily affected by storms. If, on 

 ' the other hand, the main root axis is placed at right angles to the pre- 

 vailing wind, the top is rocked backward and forward, as if on a hinge. 

 Attention to this point will save many trees. The neglect of it is often 

 seen where the collar of the tree works a hole three or four inches 

 across. This, of course, causes great loss of moisture and injury to the 

 roots. Trees should usually be tilted a few degrees towards the direc- 

 tion of the prevailing wind. 



Tbe Planting-Board. 



One of the quickest and most accurate methods of setting trees is by 

 the use of the planting-board. This board is usually about six feet long 

 and four inches wide. It has a hole bored near either end, and on the 

 middle of one side, exactly between these holes, a notch cut about half- 

 way through the width of the board. When the ground is staked out 

 and everything ready for planting, the planting-board is placed so that 

 the notch is close about a stake where a tree is to be set. Iron or 

 wooden pins are thrust through the two holes of the board; then the 

 board is lifted off one pin and thrown around on the other, out of the 

 way. The hole is then dug, and when the board is swung around and 

 dropped over the first pin the notch will indicate exactly where the 

 tree is to be set. By beveling the notch a trifle, the slope to the pre- 

 vailing winds may be given by fitting the tree every time into the notch. 

 This method is rapid and so accurate that orchards may be put in on 

 straight lines without the trouble of sighting the trees. 



Filling in the Holes. 



This is the most important step in the whole operation. To get the 

 best results, moist soil must be placed closely about the roots, so that 

 there are no air holes or crevices. The best instrument for accomplish- 

 ing this work is the human hand. When the tree is placed in position 

 the roots are spread out and a shovelful or two of the finest and best 

 earth thrown upon them. This should be carefully worked into the 

 crevices with the fingers, and -when the hole is about a third full, all 



