CULTURAL 5 



but be well broken up with the fork or spade, and be 

 left in the bottom of the trench. These things do not 

 require a rich soil, but if the soil is poor a moderate 

 dressing of well-rotted manure or decayed vegetable 

 refuse should be dug in during the preparatory process. 

 Leaf mould may also be used for the same purpose, but 

 that material is seldom available in sufficient quantities 

 to admit of it being used as a dressing for shrubbery or 

 other borders. When planted singly or on the lawn, 

 the stations should be of a sufficient diameter to allow 

 of the roots being spread out horizontally, and the soil 

 be broken up as in the case of beds and borders, and 

 with or without manurial matter added to it, as may be 

 considered desirable. 



The autumn is the best season for planting and pur- 

 chasing deciduous shrubs and trees, and those who begin 

 early will have the best prospect of obtaining satisfactory 

 results. To be more exact, the four weeks commencing 

 with the middle of October is the most suitable period. 

 In the mild autumnal days, when the soil is warm and 

 the showers are frequent, newly planted shrubs and trees 

 proceed to make new roots in their fresh quarters 

 with great rapidity, and in the following spring grow 

 so vigorously as to afford no indication of having lately 

 had their roots disturbed. With every day's delay there 

 is an increase in the check which they must inevitably 

 suffer by removal. By early planting the damage done 

 to the roots is slight and the recovery rapid. The longer 

 the planting is deferred the more serious is the injury 

 and the recovery is slow, and in the case of those trans- 

 planted in spring, when the sap is becoming active, as 

 indicated by the swelling buds, there is a risk of the 

 injury being so great as to result in death. August and 

 September are the two best months for transplanting ever- 

 greens, but the work may be done in October with a 

 good prospect of success. 



