WINDBREAK AND FOREST PLANTING. 



For windbreak and forest planting the trees ought to be planted close, 

 varying from two to eight feet, according to the kinds used. This point need 

 not be further discussed here because most school ground planting is for orna- 

 mental effect. 



MAKING HOLES AND PREPARING THE SOIL. 



In stiff or hard soil the holes should be made three feet square and from 

 two and a half to three feet deep. As the top soil is generally the best, it 

 should be thrown to one side, so that it can be used around the roots of the 

 tree when the hole is refilled. The soil should be well broken up. If con- 

 venient it is well to mix with it a few spadefuls of stable manure; the manure 

 being thoroughly mixed with the soil. Such fertilization, where it can be done, 

 will help the tree considerably. 



PLANTING THE TREE. 



If possible planting should be done on a cool, cloudy day. The hole should 

 be refilled to within three inches of the surface, reserving the best soil to pack 

 about the tree. The soil should be tramped lightly with the feet, leaving an 

 opening in the center of the hole large enough to hold the tree. The tree seedling 

 is to be placed in the soil just as it is received from the nursery, without 

 removing it from the paper pot. After the tree has been placed in position 

 and the good soil packed around it the soil should be tramped again, until it 

 is properly firmed. Care should be taken not to plant too deep. The tree 

 should be planted about one inch deeper than it was in the nursery and the 

 surface of the ground around the tree should be almost level when the 

 planting is finished. In ordinary situations a slight depression around the 

 tree, to prevent the water running away when the tree is irrigated, is all 

 that is required. In wet districts it is sometimes better to grade the earth so 

 that the water will not collect around the tree. Water should not be applied 

 until after the tree is planted, then half a bucketful may be gently poured on, 

 wetting the soil immediately around the tree. If there are frequent showers 

 no further watering will be necessary. 



CARE OF TREES AFTER PLANTING. 



Important as the process of planting is, much more depends upon the after 

 treatment. In many places cultivation is absolutely essential and nearly every- 

 where a tree will thrive better and grow faster during its early years with 

 cultivation than without it. The purposes of cultivation are mainly to pro- 

 tect the Doling tree from the encroachment of weeds and grass, to keep the 

 soil about it in good condition and to retain the moisture. If planted in a 

 dry time the tree should, if possible, be watered. This should be done by 



