NURSERY PRACTICE. 



117 



close in front of the first trench, thus making a trench 

 for the next row. If trees that are of questionable hardi- 

 ness are to remain heeled-in all winter, it is a good plan 

 to bend the tops down and cover with earth. This is 

 only necessary for winter protection. The neglect to 

 properly heel-in nursery stock as soon as it is received 

 is undoubtedly a frequent cause of failure. This is 

 especially so in the case of seedlings which are generally 

 wintered in bundles, as they are liable to dry out in 

 winter. The bundles must be opened if large, and in 

 any case the soil should be packed in around them very 

 solid by the feet or otherwise. 



Trees and Cuttings Will Sometimes Get so Dry in ship- 

 ment that the bark shrivels. In such cases the best 

 treatment is to bury them entirely for a few days, which 



FIG. 32. Heeling-in. Various stages of the operation. Row of 

 trees with roots covered; row bent down and the tops covered. 



will often enable them to recover. Soaking in water 

 will answer the same purpose, but unless very carefully 

 done is likely to injure the wood. 



