GROWING SHADE TREES. 177 



the seed to germinate quickly, and I had a fine stand of seedlings. 

 As soon as they appeared above ground, I immediately gave atten- 

 tion by stirring the surface of the soil with a fine-toothed rake to 

 kill the small weeds. And let me state to those contemplating 

 growing trees from the seed, the first three or four weeks after they 

 appear is the most critical period, and good care must be given 

 them that they are not smothered in the weeds, for if once weeds 

 take possession of the plantation it adds very materially to the ex- 

 pense of cultivation. If a good growth is expected, they must be 

 kept thoroughly clean all through the season. Careful and con- 

 stant attention tells here as well as in any other line of business. 

 Fifteen per cent of my seedling elms last year made a growth of 

 sixteen to twenty-four inches; fifty per cent., ten to sixteen inches; 

 and the remainder, four to ten inches. 



At the end of the first season's growth, either one of twQ methods 

 can be pursued. First. Take up the seedling, about October 20th, 

 in this latitude, and sort into three sizes, trimming away all side 

 shoots and cutting back the tap roots to three or four inches in 

 length, and heel in each size separately in thin layers with clean 

 soil finelj'^ worked in among the roots, and never fear injuring them 

 by treading the soil down firm and hard, thus expelling all the air. 

 Cover the tops with soil and on top of this put four or five inches of 

 coarse manure, leaves or straw as a protection until time for spring 

 planting. 



The second method, the one which I prefer for this climate, is to 

 let the seedlings remain where they grew until spring, and as 

 soon as the frost is out of the ground dig and sort into sizes as 

 above stated, trimming tops and roots ready for planting. 



The roots of these little organisms should be protected as fast as 

 they are dug — also at all other times in handling— from drying in the 

 sun and wind, by covering with wet burlap bags or packing moss; 

 and improve the first opportunity to plant on a cloudy day while the 

 soil is damp, if possible. 



In preparing the ground where they are to be planted, too much 

 care cannot be given in pulverizing the soil to a depth of six inches 

 with the plow and harrow and in leveling it. After this, mark the 

 g-round in rows four feet apart, perfectly straight, by drawing a 

 heavy line taut across the field, then walking on it and pressing it into 

 the ground for a mark to guide in planting. Where luanj' trees are 

 to be planted and long rows are used, two persons can do the mark- 

 ing to better advantage. In transferring the stock to the field, boxes 

 with rope handles are very serviceable, of a size that two men can 

 handle with ease in loading and unloading from the wagon. Care 

 should be taken to protect the roots from the sun and wind. When 

 the trees are taken from these boxes, dip their roots in a tub or hole 

 of puddling clay, and then use planting boxes made with handles for 

 carrying. Ofae end of these boxes is left out to facilitate putting in 

 the stock. This kind of a box serves to keep the trees moist until 

 planted. 



For planting a man and a boy make a good team, the man using a 

 long-handled dibble with an oval-shaped blade twelve to fifteen 



