36 PREPAKATION OF THE SOIL. 



be better clone with more time. If the tree is more 

 than two years old, commence at a distance not less 

 than two feet from the body, and increase the dist- 

 ance one foot for every inch in thickness of the tree at 

 the earth-collar. Set the spade into the ground with 

 one edge of the upright blade always turned towards 

 the tree, and bending back the spade, raise the earth 

 with a shaking motion, that will free it from the roots 

 raised by the blade. If the flat side of the blade and 

 the face of the digger were turned towards the tree, 

 every root would be cut off clean, where the spade 

 enters the ground. But by the first method, in addi- 

 tion to the two feet of roots in the solid ball, there 

 will remain rootlets and fibres to the width of the 

 spade. 



In this manner proceed around the tree, with the 

 edge of the spade turned toAvards it, and you will cut 

 very few of the roots which extend into the trench. 



Let a sharp cutting spade be provided, which should 

 never be used for digging, and with this cut smoothly 

 all tlie roots that extend, beyond the trench until the 

 lowest layer of roots is reached, and proceed to dig 

 under them, by laying the spade nearly flat, and 

 parallel with the ground, and thrusting it under the 

 ball to cut the tap-root. Having cleared away the 

 loose dirt, shake the tree gently back and forth, until it 

 is ascertained where the tree is held by the remaining 

 roots ; and then, with a digging-fork, dislodge the 

 earth in the ball from them, and only lift it when you 

 find that the tree will not strain, or the roots break. 



A gentle shake will now free it thoroughly from 

 earth without dashing it against the ground, as most 



