212 AGRONOMY 



ground, and is especially desirable in the case of plants in 

 exposed places. More plants are killed annually by having 

 their roots broken when heaved by the frost than by the cold 

 of winter itself. It often happens that more plants are dug 

 than can properly be planted at one time, and in such cases 

 the surplus is heeled in until they can be planted. In heeling 

 in, a trench is dug deep enough to receive the roots, and the 

 plants are placed within this in such a way that the tops rest 

 on the earth. Soil is then thrown on the roots in widening 

 the trench, and then another layer of plants with tops over- 

 lapping the first is put in, and so on. Plants are frequently 

 heeled in over winter. In such cases the roots should be 

 heavily mulched as soon as the ground is frozen, but if the 

 tops are mulched, it may form a retreat for mice that may 

 damage the bark or buds. Plants should always be heeled in 

 in a light, well-drained spot. 



Treatment of woodlands. The ever-increasing demand for 

 wood in various industries has greatly diminished the immense 

 forests that once covered our country, and the remnant is fast 

 disappearing. All this greatly enhances the value of the tim- 

 ber still standing. In some regions trees are already treated 

 as farm crops, and everywhere there is being manifested a 

 desire to manage the woodlands so that the greatest amount 

 of timber may be obtained from the area they cover. Formerly 

 it was the custom to cut down the entire stand of trees in 

 lumbering and to clear the ground, but at present in all 

 forests where conservative methods are practiced, only the 

 marketable timber is removed and the remainder is left to 

 produce a new crop. The forests may thus be made to yield 

 perennial supplies. Properly cared for, most forests will con- 

 tinue to reproduce themselves. When this does not occur nat- 

 urally, it is usual to plant young trees of the desired variety. 

 In all broken country there are many areas too steep or too 

 infertile to produce ordinary crops, but on which excellent 



