EVERGREENS: THEIR USES AND CULTURE 83 



the surface soil is of better quality than that found further down, as 

 frequently happens, put a small quantity of this to one side and re- 

 place it in the hole before the tree is inserted. After adjusting- the 

 roots in the hole as nearly as possible in the position which they 

 formerly occupied, fill the earth in gently and thoroughly about 

 them, finally firming it well. When the hole has been half filled 

 a thorough watering will make success doubly certain. As a finish- 

 ing 1 process, after filling the hole and firming the soil well about the 

 tree, apply as a mulch six or eight inches of straw, coarse manure 

 or grass. Too much emphasis can scarcely be placed upon the im- 

 portance of this last step. In digging evergreens take special care 

 to avoid injury to the roots. With deciduous trees it is possible 

 to preserve a balance between top and roots by cutting back the 

 former if the latter be injured, but this is not practicable in dealing 

 with evergreens. To protect the roots against drying by exposure 

 to sun and wind they must be carefully wrapped in a wet sack, piece 

 of burlap or old cloth, even if being 1 moved for only a short distance. 

 If the soil be markedly deficient in fertility the trees will be bene- 

 fitted by having thoroughly rotted manure spaded into the earth 

 about them, but this must not come into direct contact with the 

 roots and fresh manure ought never to be used. If evergreens are 

 transplanted several times in the nursery, as they should be, most 

 kinds, except pines and some of the firs, will form a mass of roots 

 to which the soil will adhere in digging. If a ball of earth is carried 

 along in the final transplanting, and other precautions taken, not a 

 single tree will be lost. 



AUGUST PLANTING. 



It is possible to transplant evergreens successfully during a 

 wet spell in August and up to the x middle of September. However, 

 this period is suited only to the shifting of trees from one part of 

 the home grounds to another or to the planting of those secured in 

 the vicinity, as evergreens cannot safely be shipped long distances 

 at this time of the year, owing to danger from heating in the pack- 

 ag'es. Spring seems to be the natural and logical time for the re- 

 moval of such trees, hence it is likely that the average planter will 

 only resort to summer and autumn planting in exceptional cases. 



PRUNING. 



The pruning of evergreens is not often required, being neces- 

 sary only to preserve the symmetrical shape of the tree or for the 

 removal of diseased, dead or dying branches. Dead limbs may be 

 cut at any time, but pruning of pines, spruces and firs should be 

 done during the growing* season, 'when the young wood is still soft, 



