PLANTING. 323 



or even a rammer. Such firming is a most important 

 part of the work, and probably has more to do with the 

 success of the planting than any other one thing. If at 

 planting, the soil happens to be dry, or the tree is con- 

 siderably started, do not fill the hole quite full at once, 

 but run water into the opening to thoroughly soak the 

 soil, finally filling in the earth the next morning. 



When trees are set singly, a space several feet across 

 should be kept clear of grass for a few years. This space 

 should be a little lower than the surrounding surface, 

 in order that the tree may be perfectly watered in dry 

 weather, and the soil worked. Where they are planted 

 in masses or borders, the whole area they cover may be 

 kept in cultivation, and the soil being in a thoroughly 

 pulverized condition on the surface, admitting air and 

 moisture, they will do better than they otherwise possibly 

 could. 



In some grounds, especially such as have been cut down 

 by grading, sometimes nothing but the poorest, gravelly, 

 sandy or clayey earth is available, although a facing loam 

 from six inches upwards may be provided for making a 

 lawn. It would be worse than useless to attempt to grow 

 trees, shrubs, etc., in such a place without special prepara- 

 tion for whatever may be planted. Wherever a tree is to be 

 set, one half to a cubic yard of the earth should be dug 

 out, and the opening filled in with the same quantity of 

 ofood soil from elsewhere, in which the tree should be 

 planted. Where groups of trees and shrubs are to be 

 planted, the entire area may be thus treated to a depth 

 of one and a half or two feet. 



