128 COME INTO THE GARDEN 



Evergreens, both cone-bearing and broad- 

 leaved, must have a Httle space all to them- 

 selves, for their treatment is very special and 

 they are very risky things to handle out of the 

 ground. Never buy them unless you are as- 

 sured that they will be dug with a ball of earth 

 clinging to their roots, which will be properly 

 burlaped as soon as the specimen is lifted from 

 the ground and carefully packed to assure its 

 remaining in place in transit. Do not open this 

 packing until the hole to receive the plant is 

 dug to the proper depth and a little larger than 

 the earth ball and is ready to receive it, with no 

 manure uncovered, but with a sifting of fine 

 earth over any that may have been used to pre- 

 vent the roots from coming in contact with it. 



Then cut the stitches which hold the burlap, 

 lift the plant into the hole still inclosed in it, 

 and finally work it down gradually on all sides 

 and under the earth ball, being careful to keep 

 this intact if it is possible to do so. To this end, 

 evergreens must never be shaken and jolted as 

 deciduous plants are, but should be held still 

 while the fine top soil is sifted around and 

 tamped under and against the ball of earth 

 about their roots. This tamping should be very 

 firmly done indeed, underneath and then grad- 

 ually up and around the sides. The burlap is 



