292 THE FARMER'S AND 



In planting, spread out the roots carefully, and let the 

 best point against the strongest winds. Fine or mellow 

 earth should fill up all the spaces between the roots, so 

 that every fibre shall come in contact with it on every 

 side ; and in order to accomplish this intention more per- 

 fectly, throw in a pailful of water when the roots are cov- 

 ered, to wash the earth down, and to fill up every interstice.* 



Newly planted trees being acted on as levers by the 

 wind, often press the earth round their stems aside, and 

 make an opening down to their roots, which in conse- 

 quence suffer from both drought and disturbance. To 

 prevent this disaster, it is therefore important that stakes 

 should be provided to support and stiffen them. If driven 

 before the trees are planted, they may be erect ; if driven 

 afterward they may be slanting ; and in both cases, straw 

 bands should be first wrapped once round to prevent the 

 trees from chafing. 



When trees are set in clay which holds water like a 

 tub, they soak and often perish ; especially if transplanted 

 in autumn. This evil may be readily prevented however, 

 when the plough can be introduced, by drawing several 

 very deep furrows where the trees are to stand, clearing 

 out the loose earth with the shovel, and then employing 

 chips, brush, potatoe tops, straw, cornstalks, or old rails, in 

 constructing an under drain. Even if made with these 

 materials, it would last for an age, for when mouldered 

 into earth, the water would soak away along the seam. 



Early in summer, after the trees are planted, let the 

 ground be well dug round with the spade, commencing 

 shallow near the trees, but deepening as soon as there is 

 no danger of disturbing the roots. One spading is worth 

 several hoeings, though the broad hoe may be profitably 



* An experienced horticulturist says, " Nine-tenths of the deaths from trnnsp ant- 

 ing arise from the hollows left among the roots of trees by a careless and rapid 

 mode ot shovelling the earth in about the roots." 



