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THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA. 



suffered in evertjreen planting- can be avoided, or at least 

 minimized ? 



In com])arison with deciduous planting somewhat 

 heavier losses are to be expected, but such losses need not 

 be and should not be excessive, or indeed little heavier 

 than is usual among the general types of deciduous trees 

 and shrubs. In the selection of suitable evergreens, much 

 importance should be placed in the types which can be 

 successfully grown under such soil and climatic conditions 

 as we find them. In this connection no specific rule 

 can be followed, and general observation and more or less 

 experimentation are necessary when these conditions are 

 so diversified as are those which American planters must 

 face. Insofar as the soil conditions are concerned it can 

 be said briefly that as a general practice a fairly rich and 

 well drained loam soil is necessary, except in the ca>e of 

 some few varieties capable of withstanding less advan- 

 tageous conditions. The matter of types, and a means of 

 correcting adverse local soil conditions will be taken up 

 later. 



Further in the matter of selection it should be seriously 

 considered when arranging for a possible source of supply 

 for the evergreens desired : under what conditions have 

 they been grown and how ? It is essential that the root 

 body of an evergreen be properly prepared for the ordeal 

 of final transplanting, more so indeed than the need of 

 producing a properly balanced and well furnished s]ieci- 

 men above ground when the chances of its success or fail- 

 ure to live after planting is concerned. 



Frequentlv transplanting in the producing nursery, root 

 pruning, and other scientific treatment are the means to 

 this end practiced bv reliable professional nurserymen. 

 \\"ith this the ultimate planter is little concerned : the con- 

 fidence and certainty that it has been pro])erly cared and 

 provided for is, however, his concern and a vital one. It 

 is possible to produce by neglecting entirely the necessary 

 care referred to, a specimen which in general appearance 

 and structure above ground will quite equal one which 

 has been produced under the highest cultural methods as 

 to root production beneath. The former, however, from 

 the viewpoint of ultimate results is practically worthless. 

 Thus the importance of selecting evergreens from none 

 but reliable sources. 



Directh' bearing and of greater interest to those con- 

 templating a more extensive planting of the various 

 evergreen forms and species is, of course, the necessary 

 care in preparation and planting, and their after treat- 

 ment and culture. Immediately after the stock is re- 

 ceived, whether in cases or loose in bulk, the plants should 

 be unpacked, except in heavy, dry, windy weather, when 

 this should be deferred until a more opportune time. It 

 should, however, be given the earliest attention. If a 

 large lot, or if for other reasons they cannot be promptly 

 planted, they should be placed together in a somewhat 

 cool and shady situation and the roots protected with a 

 covering of moist soil from where they can be taken as 

 needed. A strong, dry wind to which the roots mav be 

 exposed for any length of time will cause irreparable in- 

 jury and planting under such weather conditions should 

 be avoided wherever possible. 



In making the necessary excavation for planting one 

 should be governed as to the depth and breadth of the 

 excavation more or less by the size of the root ball of the 

 individual specimen, and in this connection it is well to 

 mention the importance of having all of the plants dug 

 at the nurseries from where the plants are purchased with 

 a good ball of earth, and this securely protected with a 

 covering of burlap. The excavation for planting should 

 be made at least three or four times larger than the root 

 hall and about a foot deeper. In the event of the soil 



being of a very poor quality, such as a heavy binding clay 

 soil or a light sand or gravel soil, etc., it is advisable, in 

 fact necessary, to e.xcavate as above and dispense with it 

 entirely, replacing it with a good loam, which is usually 

 readilv available. In cases where such soil cannot be 

 readilv provided a liberal mixture with the existing soil 

 I if a good well rotted manure, preferably cow manure, 

 will serve this purpose, but hardly as well. It is well in 

 such cases to so prepare the soil if for spring planting in 

 the previous fall or for fall planting diu'ing the spring 

 to enable the soil and manure to rot down well before 

 planting. In soil having a heavy clay texture an addition 

 of sand will help lighten it. 



If the soil is already of sufificiently good quality the use 

 of manure or artificial fertilizer is not necessary and is 

 not to be recommended. In affording a liberal excava- 

 tion the soil broken up as smooth and fine as possible thus 

 returned and much in excess of what the plant would 

 otherwise immediately require will make available prac- 

 tically a highly cultivated area for the plant's future 

 growth, and giving a deep, mellow bed in which to extend 

 their new roots. This simple and important operation is 

 frequently ignored and in such cases result in very heavy 

 losses. A small shallow excavation will result in starving 

 or drying out the plant in short order. 



In placing or setting the plant the mistake is sometimes 

 made of planting too deep or too shallow. The correct 

 depth to plant can best be judged by the soil mark in- 

 dicating where dug at the nursery or its planted level 

 then. The top of the earth ball should be placed slightly 

 below the ground level. After the plant is set in the 

 |)roper and desired position, the soil is then filled in and 

 well firmed or packed. The matter of firming the soil 

 well is another verv important feature. The soil to be 

 returned before the plant is set to create the proper plant- 

 ing level should also be well firmed, although not neces- 

 sarily packed. Where the soil mav be somewhat dry, it 

 is advisable before entirely filling in to pour in a liberal 

 amount of water, and allow this to settle before filling in 

 the rest of the soil. Some planters make use of this 

 operation under all conditions, as it not only helps to pack 

 the soil, but also renders necessary moisture which is 

 retained for some time after planting. \\'hen the entire 

 planting operation is completed, it is well to form a 

 shallow basin of the soil around the tree where rains will 

 accumulate, and be taken up slowly by the ground under- 

 neath. A covering or mulching of well rotted manure 

 or other matter will aid in conserving the moisture, and 

 prevent the soil from baking or crusting. Where very 

 dry weather is encountered for any considerable period 

 after planting a good spraying or syringing of water 

 applied to all the tops and foliage each evening during 

 the drought should be done until a good rain makes its 

 appearance, or the plants show signs of coming into new 

 growth. In spring planting the critical period seems to 

 be up to about July 1, after which if the plants are show- 

 ing new growth or are in good, healthy color thev mav be 

 considered on a fair road to success. 



In conclusion it can be safely said that there are no un- 

 surmountable difficulties in the way of evergreen plant- 

 ing. They should and will respond readilv in nine cases 

 out of ten to ordinary care and treatment, which in detail 

 the writer has endeavored to explain simply and as far 

 as possible without the use of technical terms. Common 

 sense and a little necessary care will most assuredlv bring 

 its reward. 



[In the (~)ctober number the author will present an 

 article on "The Advantages of Evergreen Plantings and 

 Desirable Types." — Editou.] 



(To be continued. ) 



