32^ ORKAMEKTAL GARDE1^KG^. 



the loss. Evergreens, particularly, often suffer much 

 from this cause. 



When ready to plant, first go over the ground with 

 the working plan in hand, and set a stake wherever a tree 

 or shrub is to be planted. The work may be simplified 

 by writing the name of the kind on each stake. Holes 

 should be dug of ample size to accommodate the roots 

 when spread out naturally, and the soil should be care- 

 fully kept in piles at the side of the holes and not need- 

 lessly scattered. 



As the trees are being set, or preferably before, they 

 should be pruned. This operation should be governed 

 somewhat by the loss of roots in digging, but as all trees 

 and shrubs lose some roots during that process, and as 

 we do not know just how many, a safe rule for most 

 kinds will be, to cut away about one third to one half of 

 the last season's growth. Any long roots may be also 

 shortened a little, and the ends of all roots that were 

 bruised in digging, should be cut off smooth. Evergreens 

 should also be pruned somewhat when planting them. 



Set the trees so that when the earth is filled in, they 

 will be as deep as they stood in the nursery. The prin- 

 cipal feeding roots of the trees are near the surface, and 

 to plant it deep is not to do the tree justice. An excep- 

 tion to this rule is to be made, however, with such things 

 as budded roses, and dwarf pears, which should be 

 planted with the union of stock and cion two inches be- 

 low the surface. 



The tree or shrub being in place, fine soil should be 

 quickly sprinkled over the roots, and the plant so worked 

 or shaken, that the earth will get well around and under- 

 neath all of the roots. The good planter gets down and 

 works the soil in between the roots with his fingers or 

 with a small pointed stick, and on account of this care 

 he seldom loses a plant. Before much soil is filled in 

 upon the roots, it should be pressed firmly with the feet, 



