106 VARIETY IN THE LITTLE GARDEN 



bright departure, the very work that must be carried on at this 

 season, at this moment, turns our regret into most glowing hope! 

 It is, however, not only bulb-planting time. These are the 

 best moments of all the year for the moving or setting of shrubs 

 and trees; and therefore this chapter shall close with some 

 practical suggestions for tree-planting from the long-established 

 firm of Stark Brothers. Their notes are printed on an immense 

 tag sent with every consignment of stock. 



Arrival of Trees. Just as soon as trees arrive, unpack, unless 

 weather is freezing; in which case, place box in cool frost-proof build- 

 ing until milder weather. When box is opened, untie bunches, shake 

 out aU packing, and if soil is in good condition plant at once. Other- 

 wise, "heel in" the trees, firming the dirt carefully around the roots. 



Wintering. When trees arrive in fall, but planting is not desired 

 until spring, choose loose, well-drained soU, preferably on ridge. Dig 

 trench 2 feet deep, throwing dirt forward to make sloping bank. Cut 

 bunches open, lay roots in trench. Cover tree entirely with dirt. Dig 

 trench back further. Add another layer of trees; and so on until ail 

 trees are heeled in. Cover the entire mound with plenty of dirt. 

 Treated thus, trees will winter in fine shape. 



Prepare the Soil. — Just as well as for ordinary farm crops. Plant 

 trees when soil will powder, not paste. Dig the holes deep, and large 

 enough to receive the roots without bending. Prune all broken and 

 bruised roots with a sharp knife, cutting from under-side so cut 

 surface will rest on soil. 



Planting Time. Spring or fall is all right, but in far northern states, 

 spring planting is better. 



Set Tree about 2 inches deeper than it stood in nursery row. Throw 

 in some of the loose top-soil first, working it in well around the roots. 

 Never put fertilizer or manure in the hole, but rather on the surface 

 of the ground. Pound soil firmly around roots. If soU is very dry, 

 add several gallons of water. Leave two inches of loose, untrampled 

 soil on top. Immediately remove wire labels, else they wiU cut into 

 the limbs. 



Prune As Soon As Planted. Head your trees low — 18 to 30 inches. 

 If head of apple or pear tree is already formed, remove all but foiu' 



