1 6 THE BOOK OF THE APPLE 



soil, drawing them out as straight as can be and in the 

 direction of the sides of the hole. Cut off with a sharp 

 knife any that are bruised or broken, taking care to 

 make the cut in an upward direction and not down- 

 wards. If the latter is done, rootlets, which will 

 eventually proceed from the cut end, will be almol 

 sure to grow in a downward direction, whereas if the 

 cut is made as advised, it is practically as certain that 

 they will grow upwards. Throw a spadeful of new soil 

 upon the bases of the roots that is to say, near to the 

 stem and draw this with the hands loosely towards 

 their extremities. This has the effect of working the 

 soil well in amongst the tiny roots, and no interstices 

 are then left. It will probably be necessary to cover 

 over three layers of roots separately, for the roots must 

 not be disarranged more than is unavoidable. When 

 the bottom layer is completely covered and the soil has 

 been made firm, spread out the roots immediately 

 above, and treat them likewise, and continue to do this 

 until all the roots have been spread in as nearly a 

 horizontal direction as possible (except that they must 

 fall a little at their ends), and all covered over with 

 soil. It may of course be necessary to make more 

 than three layers of roots if the trees are very well 

 rooted, but, generally speaking, they can be properly 

 planted by covering them over thus. Badly rooted 

 trees may not give even so much trouble, two layers 

 probably sufficing. It is important to have fresh soil 

 placed immediately in contact with the roots, for this 

 is very helpful to them in becoming established in their 

 new quarters. When all the roots are covered, the soil 

 previously taken from the hole can again be used, and 

 some of it also before, providing a fair proportion of 

 fresh is mixed with it. Take care that the soil is made 

 quite firm as the work proceeds, as otherwise the tree 

 will afterwards be liable to sink considerably, in which 



