GROVES FROM SOUR STUMPS. 33 



the spade, cutting the roots in a .circle two feet and 

 a half from the base or trunk. Shake the tree to 

 see if all the lateral roots have been cut. If not it 

 will be necessary to cut a trench the width of the 

 spade to enable you to cut deeper. In making the 

 second cut incline the point of the spade toward the 

 tap-root. Next cut the tap-root two feet and a half 

 from the surface and lift the stump from its bed. 

 Place the stumps at once in the shade and wrap 

 them well with wet green moss. Protect as far as 

 possible from the sun and drying winds. After 

 taking a stump from the soil plant it in position as 

 soon as possible. One great cause of failure has 

 arisen from keeping them out of the ground too 

 long, and allowing the roots to be exposed to wind 

 and sun. 



In setting, have the holes freshly dug. Do not 

 allow the soil to dry before it is replaced around the 

 roots. Dig the holes, for resetting, five feet wide 

 and ten or twelve inches deep. If the holes are 

 dug too deep it is almost impossible to keep the 

 tree from sinking too deep in its position, as the 

 fresh soil settles. In the centre of the hole dig a 

 deeper hole the width of the spade for the tap-root. 

 With a sharp knife, and where the roots are too 

 large for the knife, with a sharp saw with fine teeth, 

 cut away all fractures and bruises from the ends of 

 roots. So set the tree that it will stand, after the 

 soil has been settled by showers, a little higher than 

 it stood in its original bed. It had better be higher 



