138 Trees, Stars, and Birds 



Except in dry seasons or in dry regions, a tree will 

 always get enough water from the rain, if the soil 

 around it is in proper condition. If its roots are covered 

 by a pavement or if it stands on the edge of a terrace or 

 on a lawn where the grass uses much of the water, the 

 tree may suffer. Water is not so much needed close to 

 the bole of the tree as out where it drains off the leaves, 

 for the absorbing roots are at some distance from the 

 trunk. A mulch of dead leaves, peat humus, well- 

 rotted stable manure, or garden mold helps to prevent 

 loss of water by evaporation from the surface of the 

 compact soil. The mulch should not be deep. Half 

 an inch to an inch is sufficient. Such a mulch is useful 

 also in supplying nitrogen and other food material to the 

 tree. To furnish potassium, hardwood ashes are useful, 

 10 pounds for 100 square feet of soil. If the earth around 

 the roots is a heavy clay, it may be improved by working 

 in some sand or garden mold, or some gypsum, marl, or 

 slaked lime that does not contain much magnesium. 



If fallen leaves are not permitted to 

 remain on the ground, an artificial fer- 

 tilizer may be needed to supply the tree 

 with nourishment. This should be ap- 

 plied in the spring just as the buds are 

 opening, not close to the trunk, but 

 under the tips of the branches. A tree 

 that spreads over an area 30 feet in 



diameter ma y be S iven a mixture of i 

 was cut off close to pound of nitrate of soda, 6 pounds of 



the trunk, and the cottonseed mea l 2 pounds of acid phos- 

 wound is healing ' r . f 



over. phate, and 2 pounds of muriate of potash. 



