GENERAL PRACTICE. PLANTING. 153 



Light planting allows too much settling, and whilst stamping is deprecated, the proper 

 firming of the soil about the roots is essential to success. Plant, therefore, when the 

 ground is in good order, make it firm, stake the trees securely, mulch efficiently, and 

 the work will be well done. A few more hints may, however, be of use to the 

 uninitiated. These will find the straight marker (page 142) of great service. Two men 

 work together most advantageously in using it, also in planting, one using the spade, 

 the other taking charge of the tree and arranging its roots. Manure should never be 

 placed in contact with these, but placed on the ground over them. This is called 

 mulching, and strawy farm-yard manure is excellent for the purpose, spread 3 inches 

 thick from the stem outwards a foot beyond the extremities of the roots. This should 

 be done as soon as the tree is planted. Trees planted late require special care in 

 mulching. In planting let the stems of the trees be nearly the same depth in the 

 ground as they were in the nursery. More trees are ruined by being planted too deep 

 than too shallow, yet all the roots must be covered and kept moist, a little above the 

 normal level of the ground. 



Examine the trees in the spring, and make good any defects that may be observed. 

 If the soil is too loose, compress it, but only when the surface is dry. The soil, 

 though firm about the roots, should be loose on the surface, to prevent the formation 

 of cracks and fissures. The tree should appear as if standing on a gentle eminence, but 

 not so sharp as to throw off the rain. Let judgment be exercised in watering, always 

 being guided by the condition of the soil. Watering while the soil is wet cannot 

 possibly be of benefit ; on the contrary, it hinders the formation of roots. "When a tree 

 flags and the soil is moist, well sprinkle the leaves and branches frequently; and in 

 exceptional cases, trees that do not start into growth will do so by having the 

 stems wound round with hay-bands previously soaked in water, and kept moist after- 

 wards. This will often induce trees to grow that otherwise would perish. 



Planting against Walls or Fences. In these circumstances the roots will require to 

 be disposed all on one side in a semicircular excavation. This should be the exact half 

 of a planting station in the open, convex at the bottom, and highest in the middle, next 

 the wall or fence. Shorten straight-down roots, as before advised, and strong roots going 

 in the same direction as the wall will be best shortened also. Place the badly-rooted 

 side to the wall, or, if there is no choice, dispose the tree as will best favour training, 

 and bring the roots round to the planting side, where they can be evenly disposed in 

 the soil, observing the conditions previously advised. Sufficient distance should be left 



VOL. I. X 



