104 OF PLANTING. SECT. VIII. 



This is the ordinary practice with respect to wall 

 trees, and why not of all others ? See articles, Or- 

 chard and Pruning, Sect. 3 and 1 2. 



The hole being made as directed, form a little 

 hillock in the middle of it to lay the roots on and 

 round ; clap the tree upon it, and having thrown on 

 a little good and well-broke mould, give the tree a 

 gentle shaking lift, which will let the earth in close 

 among the roots, and bring the tree up towards its 

 proper height ; by not doing this, the roots are some- 

 times turned up at the ends, instead of laying rather 

 downwards: Set the tree in the hole high enough to 

 allow for a settling of the earth, in proportion to the 

 depth it was loosened. Young trees, however, should 

 have their roots nearly upon a level, and so must have 

 their ends raised with the hand, if they are sus- 

 pected to be too much depressed. The mould should 

 be thrown on gently, a little at a time ; and if some 

 that is finer and richer than the rest be first put about 

 the roots, just to cover them, it would help the tree 

 to strike fresh roots quickly, and grow the faster. 



Trample the mould gently about the roots, begin- 

 ning at the outside of the hole, and so towards the 

 stem. Finally, leave the ground a little hollow on 

 the top, to receive rains or waterings. 



As to depth, trees in a light dry soil may have the 

 top of their roots settled at about five or six inches 

 below the surface, and in a strong soil about three 

 inches ; or it may be a general rule to plant a tree 

 no deeper than it grew : for trees planted too deep 

 do not so well. Always keep the roots of a tree 

 above a heavy clay, for the making trenches in clay 

 will not answer, and an unhealthy tree may be looked 

 for. See next article Soil. If the good soil is thin, 

 the roots should be almost planted in sight, raising 

 the earth above them. Take care to protect the 

 roots of all, but especially of high set trees, from 



