320 Landscape Gardening 



In the actual planting of the tree, the chief point lies in 

 bringing every small fibre in contact with the soil, so that 

 no hollows or interstices are left, which may produce mouldi- 

 ness and decay of the roots. To avoid this, the soil must 

 be pulverized with the spade before filling in, and one of 

 the workmen, with his hands and a flat dibble of wood, 

 should fill up all cavities, and lay out the small roots before 

 covering them in their natural position. When watering is 

 thought advisable (and we practise it almost invariably), it 

 should always be done while the planting is going forward. 

 Poured in the hole when the roots are just covered with the 

 soil, it serves to settle the loose earth compactly around the 

 various roots, and thus both furnishes a supply of moisture, 

 and brings the pulverized mould in proper contact for 

 growth. Trees well watered when planted in this way, will 

 rarely require it afterwards; and should they do so, the 

 better way is to remove two or three inches of the top soil, 

 and give the lower stratum a copious supply; when the 

 water having been absorbed, the surface should again be 

 replaced. There is no practice more mischievous to newly 

 moved trees, than that of pouring water, during hot weather, 

 upon the surface of the ground above the roots. Acted 

 upon by the sun and wind, this surface becomes baked, and 

 but little water reaches the roots; or just sufficient, perhaps, 

 to afford a momentary stimulus, to be followed by increased 

 sensibility to the parching drought. 



With respect to the proper seasons for transplanting, we 

 may remark that, except in extreme northern latitude, 

 autumn planting is generally preferred for large, hardy, de- 

 ciduous trees. It may commence as soon as the leaves fall, 

 and may be continued until winter. In planting large trees 

 in spring, we should commence as early as possible, to give 

 them the benefit of the April rains; if it should be deferred 

 to a later period, the trees will be likely to suffer greatly by 

 the hot summer sun before they are well established. 



thrown out, and ten to twelve- inches of stone substituted, for the double 

 purpose of drainage, and retention of moisture in dry weather. H. W. 

 SARGENT. 



