120 FOEESTKY WORK 



When the pit is nearly full, the soil must be firmed by 

 treading, preferably starting at the edge of the hole and 

 working inwards. The pit can then be filled and trodden 

 firm. The tree should then be able to withstand any 

 \Yind. 



The last few scrapings of soil or any leaf-mould that 

 is handy should be scattered loosely over the top of the 

 pit, to reduce evaporation and as a protection against 

 frost. 



Treading, if started before the roots are sufficiently 

 covered, will damage the roots, and on clay soils undo 

 all the good done by the weathering of the soil, by 

 puddling it and making it too stiff for the young rootlets 

 to start growing in. 



When plants with balls of earth are used, the hole is 

 partly filled, leaving a depression in the centre into which 

 the ball is placed. More soil is added and firmed round 

 the ball, care being taken not to tread on the latter, 

 otherwise the earth will be broken away from the roots. 

 When standard trees of large size are being planted, 

 the pits are prepared beforehand as for forest trees, and 

 the trees prepared a year before, as described under 

 " Transplanting in Nursery," Chapter III. A good 

 supply of leaf-mould or compost should be brought to 

 the side of the pit, and some of it mixed with the soil 

 left in the bottom. The pit is filled up to the height 

 required, a depression being left, to receive the ball of 

 earth. The tree is then gently lowered into place, and 

 the sacking or mat removed. Sufiicient soil is added to 

 make the tree fairly firm, and then either two or three 



