the moisture conditions are not as good. Situations where the sod is 

 very dense should also be avoided. The different exposures that may 

 be planted are, in order of suitability, the north, northeast, northwest, 

 east, west, and southeast exposures, and, finally, the more level situa- 

 tions, such as valleys and crests of hills. The plan should be to plant 

 blocks or belts of trees as windbreaks around the ranch house, barns, 

 and yards. 



TIME TO PLANT. 



The best time to plant is in the spring, usually between April 20 and 

 May 10, when rains have begun. Cloudy days should be chosen for 

 such work. 



HOW TO HANDLE THE SEEDLINGS. 



When the seedlings are received at the railroad station they should 

 be thoroughly moistened by pouring water into the boxes, which should 

 then be wrapped in wet blankets and taken to the ranch without delay. 

 If possible, the trees should be planted the same day they are received, 

 but if it is necessary to hold them over they should be unpacked, pud- 

 dled, and heeled-in. 



PUDDLING. 



Take clay or loam and mix with water to about the consistency of 

 cream. Into this "puddle," as it is called, dip the roots of the plants 

 just before they are heeled-in and again just before they are planted. 

 In the puddling process a thin coating of soil is formed over the sur- 

 face of the roots, serving as a protective cover. 



HEELING-IN. 



Select a cool, shaded spot where the surface soil is mellow and can 

 easily be worked. Dig a trench of suitable length, say 6 feet, and of 

 a depth which will allow the plants to extend above the ground about 

 2 inches. Have one side of the trench somewhat sloping. Against 

 this sloping side spread out a layer of plants, roots down, and bank 

 with earth to a level of the surface. Put about 2 inches of soil against 

 the plants, pack well, and leave the outside again somewhat sloping, 

 and against it place the next layer of plants. Continue this process 

 until all the plants are heeled-in. The layer of soil between each two 

 layers of plants should be kept a uniform thickness the entire depth, 

 and should be wide enough to prevent the tops of the different layers 

 of plants from crowding. Great care should be taken not to make the 

 layers of plants over 6 to 8 layers deep. The soil in which the plants 

 are heeled-in should be moist, but not wet, and once heeled-in, if the 

 work is done with care, they will need no further attention until the 

 time for planting. 



PLANTING. 

 PREPARATION OF THE GROUND. 



The ground should never be plowed before planting, as this would 

 cause it to blow and shift, and many of the young trees would be 



