■\VUK.N AND IK>^V TU I'LANT TREES. 



WREN AND now TO PLANT TREES. 



BY TVaLLIAM SAUNDERS, GERMANTOWN. 

 (concluded from page 555 of last volume.) 



The imiiortance of air to the roots of plants, and tlic necessity for placing 

 them under its influence, has originated the oft-repeated advice, "Never set a 

 l)lant deeper than it was before removal." The maxim is worth repetition. 

 The colhar, or neck of a plant, that is, the point from whence the stem and roots 

 proceed in opposite directions, should be kept on a level with the surface. Tiie 

 natural growth of the roots of different trees will indicate the treatment they 

 should receive. The pine and fir tribes seldom strike deep roots; they should be 

 carefully spread out and slightly covered. Those that form strong perpendicular 

 roots, as oak, hickory, pear, &c., should be planted accordingly, without bending 

 or spreading any of the roots. 



The most difficult to transplant are those which form fewest fibry, or small 

 roots; every care should, therefore, be taken with such; all jagged and bruised 

 ends cut smoothly across, to hasten the formation of young fibres. The roots are 

 similar to the branches — pruning increases the quantity of shoots. Hence the 

 more frequently a tree is removed, the less risk attends the operation. 



In planting, care should be taken to imbed every root and fibre with soil; avoid 

 the injurious custom of swaying the plant about, or shaking it up and down, with 

 a view to settle the soil among the fibres. A portion of finely divided soil should 

 be thrown over the roots and carefully introduced by hand into all the crevices 

 formed by the roots. The plant will now be firm, and, unless large and heavy- 

 topped, will not require staking, which, unless closely watched, injures the bark, 

 and not unfrequently induces disease. 



It is seldom necessary, at least with deciduous trees, to apply water at the time 

 of planting. There is much harm done to recently planted trees by the applica- 

 tion of what are termed " copious waterings." The soil, at planting seasons, is 

 generally moist enough for the preservation and growth of the roots, and any- 

 thing more is injurious rather than beneficial. Evergreens require different 

 management in this respect; they have an extensive leaf-surface to supply with 

 moisture ; and if the soil has been shaken away from the roots at removal, or 

 the season be dry, they should receive a thorough watering. 



It is an old practice, and a very safe one, especially with large-sized trees, to 

 pour water into the holes until the soil is rendered to a mortar-like consistency; 

 the water carries the soil into every crevice, and imbeds every root. When pro- 

 perly managed in this way, a dry spell, during the latter end of July, will be found 

 a good time to remove large-sized evergreens, provided the roots are not exposed 

 for any length of time during the operation. Before being finally filled, the water 

 should be allowed to settle, and always fill the holes with reference to a sin 



