82 THE XUT CULTUKIST. 



If not supported by stakes they are sure to be swayed 

 about, if not thrown over, by strong winds in summer. 

 A strong stake, two or three inches in diameter, would 

 better be set at the time of planting the tree, thereby 

 avoiding breaking off or crushing the roots, as frequently 

 happens when stakes are driven down among them later 

 in the season. Set the stakes or drive into the subsoil 

 six inches from the stem, then use strips of cloth, sacks, 

 carpet, or some similar material, for tying, because hard 

 cord or twine will be very likely to cut through the ten- 

 der bark from the constant swaying about of the stems. 

 Wind the strips around the stem, and then cross between 

 it and the stake once or twice, to prevent the tree from 

 pressing against or coming in contact with the stake. 

 Renew the stakes and tying materials, if necessary, until 

 the trees become firmly established, and provided with 

 lateral roots large enough to keep them in an upright 

 position. 



Mulching. Placing a few forkfuls of coarse stable 

 manure, half-rotted straw, leaves, or any similar mate- 

 rial, on the surface about the stems of recently planted 

 trees, will prove very beneficial, in not only keeping 

 down the weeds, but aiding greatly in retaining mois- 

 ture in the soil about the roots. The application of 

 some such material as a mulch is all the more important 

 with the chestnut, because these trees are always to be 

 planted in a naturally dry and well drained soil. 



Distance Between Trees. How far apart chest- 

 nut trees should be planted will depend very much upon 

 the species and varieties, some growing to immense 

 trees, while others are only fair-si zed shrubs at maturity. 

 But for the larger -growing varieties, forty to fifty feet 

 between the trees is none too much space, when planted 

 for their nuts and not for timber. If set in a single row 

 along the public highways, farm lanes or around the 

 outbuildings, to serve as shade or ornament, and for their 



