TRANSPLANTING. 71 



of the tree to be set. Now insert the tap- root in 

 this hole made by the spade. Be careful not to 

 set the tree deeper than it grew in the nursery. 

 With the hand pack the soil firmly around the tap- 

 root. Next spread the lateral roots over the cone, 

 taking care to distribute them evenly over the cone. 

 Throw on two inches of dirt and press it firmly 

 with the feet. Finish by throwing in soil and lev- 

 elling the ground, leaving the last layer of soil un- 

 trod. 



Before the tree is left it should be trimmed with 

 shears in proportion to the trimming done to the 

 roots. 



If planting is done in summer or in hot weather, 

 and the ground is not protected by forest trees, it is 

 better to mulch. 



If trees are older than three years, and wild 

 grown, it may be necessary to dig the holes deeper 

 than directed above, but the point of this caution is 

 against deep setting. The writer is satisfied that 

 more trees have been diseased and retarded in their 

 growth, and frequently killed, by deep setting than 

 by any other one cause. 



