Grouping ano Massing of Urecs ano Sbrubs. 87 



with a sharp knife. They are then heeled iu — -that is, put 

 close together iu a trench, until the time of planting. Just 

 before planting, the top must be pruned, the extreme tips 

 of the young shoots being cut off above an eye, and if the 

 tree is large, a branch or two may have to be entirely re- 

 moved so as to reduce the top sufficiently. For evergreen 

 trees of all kinds, the roots must be fully preserved and left 

 undisturbed in a clump of soil, which should be unbroken 

 at the time of planting. Conifers, especially spruce and 

 pine, would be entirely ruined by pruning. As a rule, the 

 top of evergreens cannot be reduced without bad results. 

 Couiferous trees and shrubs may be planted in August and 

 September, or early in spring before the commencement of 

 growth. They must be planted with extreme care ; failures 

 are common on account of ignorance of this fact. 



The actual planting is best done by two men, one to dig 

 and throw the soil about the roots, the other to hold the 

 plant in position, to imbed the roots in a natural position, 

 and to trample down the soil firmly. When it is intended to 

 move and plant very large trees, a trench should be dug 

 around the roots at a sufficient distance from the stem be- 

 fore frost sets in, and the clump must be undermined so as 

 to allow of removing as soon as the soil has frozen to a solid 

 mass. The excavation for planting must be done at the 

 same time. Smaller ones may be shifted at almost any 

 time during the planting season, and the root-clump may be 

 boxed up or wrapped in canvas. Specially constructed 

 carts are used for transportation. Newly-planted subjects 

 require an occasional watering if the summer is dry ; when- 

 ever this is necessary the soil should be thoroughly soaked. 



