TfiANSPLANTINa. 25 



the surface soil, but from the suhsoiL Mach can be done to 

 effect this by ploughing the ground into lands of the same "width 

 as the intended space bet^veen the rows of trees. By repeated 

 ploughings, turning the furrow always towards the centre of the 

 land, the ground may be thrown up to the required height, and 

 the trees planted along the middle of each land. This method 

 will be foimd particularly beneficial ^here the ground is naturally 

 level, or the subsoil cold and sterile. A naturally rolling surface, 

 with a porous subsoil, is to be preferred for fruit trees wherever 

 it can be had. 



In Planthtg, the trees should not be set into the cold and 

 barren sub-soil, but if the surface soil be too shallow to receive 

 the roots, it is better to throw the earth up around the tree so as 

 to cover the roots to the proper depth and keep them in the mel- 

 low and fertile soil. Trees have been planted where the surface 

 sod is thin, by spreading out the roots on the surface of the 

 ground and covering them with earth, and they lived and grew 

 well, whereas, if they had been planted in holes dug in the ordi- 

 nary way they would never have been worth anything. It is a 

 common error to plant trees too deep. They should not be set 

 80 as to stand any deeper after the ground has become settled 

 than they stood in the nursery. The holes should be dug large 

 enough in diameter to admit of the roots being spread out in 

 their natural position, not coiled up or turned up at the ends, 

 and the soil in the bottom of the hole should be loosened up and 

 made crowning in the centre ; upon this the tree shoidd be set, 

 and the roots spread out in a natural way. The rich and thor- 

 oughly pulverized surface soil should be carefully filled in, and 

 worked with the fingers among the roots, and pressed down 

 gently with the foot. When all is complete the surface should be 

 left loose and friable, not trodden hard, as is often done, and 

 should be made neaily level with the surrounding sod, if the 

 planting be done in the spring ; but if it be done in the fall, make 

 a mound of earth over the roots and aroiuid the stem of the tree, 

 as already recommended. In settling the earth about the root& 



