THE OPERATION OF PLANTING. 33 



given plant were a seedling or not, and which would 

 be of equal value with one, in others of the same 

 species not only would the mode by which they were 

 propagated be at once apparent, but, for the purposes 

 of use or ornament, they would be comparatively 

 worthless. 



A small, young, and vigorous tree is always to be 

 preferred to a large stunted one, even though the 

 latter should be ten times the size of the former, as 

 it will in all cases make a finer specimen, and in a 

 much shorter space of time. The stunted one will 

 probably remain in an inactive state for years, or 

 progress but slowly. 



Planting. Much of the ultimate success of a 

 tree will depend on this apparently simple operation 

 being properly performed. The situation chosen, 

 being in regard to soil of a favourable character, a 

 space of at least ten feet in diameter should be 

 trenched for each tree, breaking up the soil from 

 two feet to thirty inches deep, well chopping it to 

 pieces with the spade, and if the lower soil is at all 

 inferior, keeping the surface mould still at the top. A 

 good portion of leaf-mould should also be incorporated 

 with it, and the whole allowed to settle before planting. 

 "Where any plant is likely to require support, place in 

 the centre of the spot to receive it a neat strong 

 stake, leaving it, however, no higher than about two- 

 thirds the entire height of the plant. Having care- 

 fully disentangled the roots, should they require it, 

 spread them equally over the spot prepared to receive 

 them, with the stem of the plant against the previously 



