i;o ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE 



study of the grounds and also of the character- 

 istics of trees and plants; their hardiness, their mode 

 of growth, and their adaptation to the soil and other 

 conditions. There are probably not more than a 

 dozen kinds of trees, and as many species of shrubs, 

 that are adapted to planting in small grounds, under 

 ordinary conditions, in this climate. The proper loca- 

 tion of drives and walks should receive due considera- 

 tion before planting begins. Care should be taken not 

 to plant trees too close together, or else there should be 

 a definite plan for thinning them out as they approach 

 full size. We should try to picture, not the small tree 

 that we plant, but the tree that is to be. 



Selection of Trees for Planting. Small, thrifty 

 trees should ordinarily be selected for planting, rather 

 than large ones. They are more likely to live and 

 will be larger and more satisfactory at the end of a 

 few years. If large trees are planted, they should be 

 "headed in" unsparingly, and staked firmly. No tree, 

 large or small, should be planted which is blemished 

 or imperfect, or without a good equipment of roots. 

 Perhaps the majority of trees are practically ruined 

 by the destruction of roots in the digging. 



Preparation for Planting. In preparation for plant- 

 ing, the holes should be dug at least four feet in 

 diameter and two feet in depth. If the soil is hard 

 and poor, it should be replaced by good earth ; and in 

 every case the trees should be well mulched with coarse 

 litter that will remain in place. The work of planting 

 cannot be done rightly by one person alone; it re- 



