THE SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 397 



1 write this not from theory, but based on practical theoretical knowledge, 

 and from practice in removal of thousands of evergreen trees and shrubs in the 

 autumn months. Here let me say, that I prefer from the 10th of September 

 to the ^Otli of October to do the work ; but with due care never to leave the 

 roots half an hour cxi)oscd to the sun or dry cokl winds, Tliere is no fear of 

 want of success — provided the planter has tlie ground prepared for planting as 

 it should be, and at the same time knows how to do the work. 



HOW TO DIG AND PLANT. 



The digging of evergreens is one of the mechanical arts of horticulture. A 

 common hand, knowing nothing of roots, will go to work with his spade, and 

 putting it broadside toward the tree, within four inches of its main roots, will 

 then bend back the top, held in his left hand, so that when he puts his foot 

 xipou the spade to press it into the ground, it Avill enter the earth at angle of 

 forty-live degrees, and about four inches in depth, cutting off all the side roots 

 and mutilating the tap roots at about five inches depth from the surface; then 

 he catches hold of the tree by the top shoot, the growth of the past season, 

 and twists and turns it until there is not a root left free of cracks. The tree 

 comes out entirely free of earth, and is thrown back, to lie in the sun or wind, 

 until the whole row or lot ordered is dug, Xow he who knows how to dig a 

 tree, will set his spade in edgewise towards the tree, knowing that its roots 

 ramify and extend more towards the open ground than in the row. He loosens 

 gently the ground by placing the spade or digging fork (the latter is best) so 

 that it will enter on a straight lino twelve inches into the ground ; then he lifts 

 gently, tlirowing the earth away from the tree or plant. Next he takes hold of 

 the plant or tree close down to the earth, and pulls straight upward, bringing 

 it to the surface with a mass of earth around the crown, and each root with 

 only its small fibres broken. The plants are (or should be), as fast as raised, 

 gathered and wrapjjcd in a mat, or be put into some barrow with a cover, to 

 protect them from the wind or sun. 



This answers for small trees or plants, or trees of two or three feet high. 

 Large trees of fifteen to thirty feet higli, and with the lower branches spread- 

 ing six to eight feet, should first have the lower branches bent upward and 

 secured by a soft belt to keep them from injury by the diggers. In the digging 

 of these the spade should be set in eighteen inches to three feet from the body 

 of the tree, according to its size, with its edge to the stem or center of the tree 

 and a trench be dug eighteen inches deep and wide ; then a spading fork should 

 be inserted underneath tlic outer roots, the earth removed again and again, 

 until the tree stands mainly upon a ball of earth four to six inches in depth, 

 and on its tap root. Now dig away one side until the spade or knife can be 

 used to cut the tap root or lateral sub-roots, smoothly. Next place some hay, 

 or straw, or clothes under one side beneath the roots, bond the tree over upon 

 it, and draw a mat from the opposite side under the tap roots, etc., so folded 

 that when the tree is canted back the roots may be gathered in the mat ; tie this 

 mat to the stem, lift and place the tree upon a sled or low-wheeled wagon, then 

 moisten the mat and transfer to the phice for replanting. 



The whole art of planting is to liavc the hole or trench dug so deep that the 

 tap root will stand on a conical mound in the center, and have the tier of upper 

 roots four inclies below the surface. Then lay down the lower tier of roots so 

 that they lie level upon the ground beneath; cast fine earth over and among 

 them, pressing it firmly among the roots with outspread fingers ; do the same 

 way with every tier of roots to tlie surface, being careful all the time that the 



