PLANTING 13 



livery of correctly-named, well-grown plants. Another 

 point that the intending planter should bear in mind 

 is the fact that one often finds good local varieties 

 that grow remarkably well in his neighbourhood. 

 When such happens to be the case it is just as well to 

 procure a few trees if the variety is a really good one 

 (and one needs to be careful in this particular, since very 

 many local varieties are quite worthless), for one can be 

 practically sure of their thriving well with ordinary care 

 and attention. It is worth remembering also that to 

 place one's orders in good time will probably mean that 

 they will be executed early, and therefore most likely 

 will secure better trees than would be the case if the 

 order were given when the planting season had well 

 begun ; for the best plants will certainly not be kept 

 until the last. Supposing the ground not to be ready to 

 receive the trees when they arrive, unless proper pre- 

 cautions are taken, irretrievable harm may quickly be 

 done. The roots, of course, will be practically devoid 

 of soil, though probably well covered with mats. The 

 best thing to do as soon as the trees arrive is to take 

 out a shallow trench in a border, remove the mats from 

 around the roots, and lay in obliquely the roots and a 

 small portion of the stem of each tree. Place them so 

 that the trees lean away from the front of the trench, 

 then well cover over the roots with the soil previously 

 removed from the trench, making sure that none are left 

 exposed. If such a practice is followed, the trees are 

 perfectly safe until required for permanent planting, 

 quite as safe, in fact, as though they were properly 

 planted. It does not occupy much time to do this 

 work, yet much disappointment may be avoided by so 

 doing. It may easily happen if the plants are allowed 

 to lie about while the planting is in progress, that their 

 roots become dried and withered, and the plants cannot 

 then fail to suffer. Even if it be only for a short time, 



