PRUNING THE TOPS 



53 



ter, with some dirt adhering to its roots, will 

 weigh a ton or more." 



In the planting of any tree or bush, the roots 

 should be cut back beyond all breaks and serious 

 bruises, and the earth should be 

 thoroughly filled in and firmed 

 about them, as in Fig. 56. No 

 implement is so 

 good as the fin- 

 gers for working 

 the soil about 

 the roots. If the 

 tree has many 

 roots, work it up 

 and down slightly 

 several times dur- 

 ing the filling of 



58. Pruned tree. tlie hole > to Settle 5 9. Pruned tree. 



the earth in place. 



When the earth is thrown in carelessly, the 

 roots are jammed together, and often an empty 

 place is left beneath the crown, as in Fig. 57, 

 which causes the roots to dry out. 



The marks upon the tops of these trees in/ Figs. 

 56 and 57 show where the branches should be cut 

 off. See also Fig. 66. Figs. 58 and 59 show 

 the tops of trees after pruning. Strong, branchy 

 trees, as apples, pears and ornamental trees, are 

 usually headed back in this way, upon planting. 

 If the tree has one straight leader and many or 



