12 



fers 4 or 5 years old, twice transplanted, will be suitable, although the 

 price of such stock prohibits its use on a large scale. Broadleaf trees 

 should rarely be over 2 inches in diameter at the ground if transplant- 

 ing is to be successful. A common mistake is to select stock that is 

 too large. Small trees are cheaper; they recover much sooner from 

 the effect of transplanting, and usually develop a more shapely form. 



In rare cases cuttings may be used to good advantage. These are 

 made from branches from 1 to 2 years old and about one-fourth inch in 

 diameter, cut into lengths of about 1 foot. Branches 1 or 2 years old 

 will give the best results. Poplars and willows are frequently propa- 

 gated in this way. 



Care should be taken to procure only hardy stock. Home nursery- 

 men should be given the preference, since stock grown near the region 

 where it is to be used will be more likely to succeed than that brought 

 from a distance. Stock grown in regions farther north or west than 

 the one in which it is to be planted will give better satisfaction than 

 that grown farther south or east. 



When the stock is received from the nurser}^ if it is not to be planted 

 at once, it should be " puddled" and "heeled-in." The root hairs are 

 important parts of the root system and are exceedingly sensitive to 

 the drying effects of sun and wind. This is particularly true of coni- 

 fers. Even a few minutes' exposure in dry, windy weather may kill 

 them. The roots of broadleaf trees are not injured quite so readily 

 and will often recover even after becoming more or less shriveled. 

 Carelessness in this respect, however, is always a menace to successful 

 planting. During removal of the stock to the permanent site the same 

 care should be taken to keep the roots moist. 



PLANTING. 



The best time for planting is about April 15 to May 15. It is well 

 to wait until the spring rains begin and to select cloudy, damp days 

 for the work. Dry, windy weather should always be avoided. Fall 

 planting in these regions is never advisable. 



The ground should be put into a state of thorough cultivation before 

 planting. If the land is in sod, it should be broken up at least a year 

 before the trees are set. Meanwhile the land should be cropped, or 

 if this is not feasible, it should be disked twice during the summer to 

 keep the weeds back and to hasten the rotting of the sod. It should 

 then be " backset" 6 or 7 inches deep in the fall. After being disked 

 again in the following spring and thoroughly harrowed the soil will 

 be ready for planting. 



No preparation need be given to soil of the sand-hill type, since 

 plowing would subject it to wind erosion. 



[Cir. 109] 



