36 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 



descending and active, and the tree itself 

 least likely to suffer from excessive evapora- 

 tion. That time is the autumn ; at the fall 

 of the leaf. 



22. Autumn planting, however, has its dis- 

 advantages. The soil is generally very dry 

 and unmanageable. The tree comes up with 

 difficulty, and the new fibres dry up as fast 

 as they push. Another disadvantage is, if 

 we wait till the fall rains have deeply pene- 

 trated the soil, there is danger of having to 

 leave the operation unfinished by frost. If 

 the planting be not very extensive, it is much 

 better for the tree to apply water when re- 

 quisite, and have it done in the best time. 

 The future health of the tree will repay the 

 additional expense. 



- 23. Spring planting is most usually fol- 

 lowed. The ground is so pliable, it seems 

 to save so much labor, and the work can go 

 right ahead to completion. This is all that 

 can be said in its favor. 



24. Winter planting, or the " Frozen ball" 

 system, is sometimes adopted. In the early 

 part of the winter, a hole is prepared for the 

 tree, and the tree itself prepared with "a 



