54 THE BOOK OF THE PEACH. 



for its reception. Into this the tree is lifted, the 

 mat drawn from underneath the ball, any strag- 

 gling roots shortened back, and damaged ones cut 

 clean off at the point of injury. This done, work 

 the new soil w r ell under and among the roots, 

 arranging the latter with a slight inclination down- 

 wards, and making the soil moderately firm about the 

 roots in planting. When this part of the work has 

 been completed, lay on a surface-dressing of rotten 

 or half-rotten stable manure to the thickness of 

 about three inches, extending it over the surface 

 of the loosened soil as a mulch, and then give 

 the whole a good watering to settle the soil about 

 the roots. Tie the branches somewhat loosely to 

 the trellis, and shade them heavily with mats or 

 such-like material from the effects of sunshine for 

 about a week. Then the shading may be discon- 

 tinued, and the trees syringed with clean water 

 morning, noon, and afternoon in the meantime. Con- 

 tinue this in the afternoon until the leaves begin to 

 change colour in the ordinary w r ay prior to falling, 

 the object being to prevent the leaves falling before 

 the usual time, and thereby ensuring the thorough 

 re-establishment of the roots and trees in their new 

 quarters, ready to respond to nature's call the follow- 

 ing spring, summer, and autumn in every way. 



In the case of trees obtained from a distance 

 i.e. nurseries, they cannot, as a matter of course, 



