116 



PRINCIPLES OF AMERICAN" FORESTKY. 



give special care to the plants, as by shading or water- 

 ing. Plants should not remain more than two or three 

 years in so close a bed before they are transplanted. 

 When it is desirable to set out small seedlings in rows, 

 instead of beds, a tight line may be used in place of the 

 board. 



Heeling- in. This term is applied to the temporary 

 covering of the roots of trees with earth to keep them 

 from drying out after they are dug and until they are 

 planted. If they are to be kept for only a few days, 



FIG. 31. Successive steps in planting young Evergreen or other 

 very small seedlings. A, Board in place and trench partly opened. 

 B, Seedlings in place and partly covered. C, New trench partly 

 opened. D, New trench with seedlings in place. 



comparatively little care is needed in covering; but if 

 they are to be kept for several weeks or over winter, 

 especially if the weather is dry, great care must be taken 

 to work the fine soil in among the roots and to pack it 

 solid. A good way of doing this is as follows: Select 

 a dry, mellow piece of ground and dig a trench just large 

 enough to take in the roots of the trees when laid close 

 together in a single row. Place the trees or seedlings 

 in this trench in an upright position, a few at a time, and 

 cover the roots firmly and deeply with soil taken from 



