146 SCHOOL AND HOME GARDENS 



Care must be taken that there are no air pockets and 

 that the roots are not crowded together. When the hole 

 is half full, tread the earth in firmly ; then fill in until 

 the hole is nearly full, and tread again. On top strew 

 at least two inches of fine soil. This must be kept loose 

 during the entire summer by working with a rake or 

 hoe after rain ; it will make a dust mulch to retain 

 the moisture. In the fall give the soil a top-dressing 

 of leaves, straw, or coarse manure. 



Watering. If the soil is dry when the trees are being 

 planted, pour from one to five gallons of water in the 

 hole when it is two thirds filled with soil. After this 

 water has been absorbed by the soil, continue filling the 

 hole. It may also be necessary to water the trees during 

 the dry season in July and August. Trees should then 

 be given an abundance of water, so that it may reach 

 all of the roots. Water may be poured in a four- or five- 

 inch draintile that is set in the soil so that the upper 

 end is a short distance above the surface. Large trees 

 are sometimes watered in this way. The famous Wash- 

 ington elm at Cambridge, Massachusetts, has draintiles 

 laid among its roots and is supplied with water from the 

 city water system during the hot summer days. 



