PLANTING AND MAINTENANCE 125 



these little things; they count. When just the 

 right depth is secured and all the roots are ad- 

 justed over the earth cushion around the en- 

 tire plant, with none turned under or up at the 

 tips for lack of space to lie straight out, begin 

 filling in with the light and richer top soil, 

 throwing it into the pockets and crevices which 

 will show around and within the root mass, 

 and firming it down and in against the root- 

 lets by hammering it gently with a roundheaded 

 stick. An inverted broom handle is excellent 

 for this. 



It is safe and right to do this packing down 

 of the earth or tamping much more firmly than 

 the beginner usually thinks proper, for even 

 with the greatest care there will still be tiny 

 interstices here and there where rootlets will go 

 hungry. So do not be apprehensive of over- 

 doing it, unless the soil is moist and heavy — 

 that is, like putty or dough. Do not plant at 

 all however when soil is in this condition; it 

 takes an expert to do that, and even he runs 

 chances of failure. 



But of course earth should not be beaten 

 down into a state resembling cement, however 

 dry it is. The idea is simply to overcome the 

 looseness which follows its turning over and 

 stirring about, and to settle it at once, instead 



