Care In Planting Trees 173 



roadside, paring oflF the sod, and, if need be, with Scind 

 added, or well decomposed humus from a swamp, furnish 

 good material for filling in. Rotted sod may also be placed 

 at the bottom of the hole to enrich the soil. 



Manure of any kind is much better kept away from roots; 

 it is apt to do more harm than good, both mechanically and 

 chemically. But if extra care is desired, a mulching or top 

 dressing to the depth of two or three inches with well-rotted 

 manure, spent bark, leaves, or other htter is commendable, 

 as it prevents evaporation from the soil more persistently 

 than even cultivation. Stones may also be used for this 

 purpose. If manure is to be placed in the hole to enrich 

 the soil, and especially to increase its water capacity, make 

 sure that it is well mixed with the soil and kept away from 

 direct contact with the roots. 



Especially in planting street trees, the depth of the hole, 

 and improvement of the soil is essential. A hole three 

 feet deep, and an area of four square yards of prepared 

 soil and an open space of at least one and a half yards un- 

 paved and cultivated, are the proper conditions for city 

 trees. 



Different species, w^e must repeat, make different demands 

 on character and depth of soil (see Chapter IX) , and hence 

 more or less care in the preparation of the soil is required 

 for different species. 



In actually setting the tree, the first care is not to set it 

 too deep. Many trees are lost from this cause, suft'ocation 

 resulting by removing the respiratory organs of the roots 

 from access to air. That shallow-rooted species especially 

 do not like to have their roots deeply buried is natural, but 

 is often not realized by the planter. Deep-rooted species 

 also have some shallow roots specially designed for respira- 

 tion and these must be kept near the surface. Tlie proper 



