SHADE TREE PLANTING 81 



the depth of planting should be as nearly as possible the 

 same as the depth to which the tree grew in the nursery, 

 a layer of soil, rich in plant food, should be placed at the 

 bottom of the hole. This regulates the depth of planting 

 and gives a fine, mellow soil condition which is important 

 to growth. The depth of planting may be easily deter- 

 mined by noting the mark of the soil around the trunk or 

 stem, indicating the surface line before moving. 



In planting along city streets it is often necessary to 

 provide richer soil than that which is at hand. Earth 

 with good growing qualities may be procured in the 

 vicinity of any city or town and the slight additional 

 trouble involved in this step will be more than repaid by 

 the results. City soil is seldom of a character that en- 

 courages vegetation. The ideal soil, is a light sandy loam, 

 smooth in texture and so porous as to encourage the 

 passage of air and moisture for feeding the roots. Clay 

 soil packs tightly and prevents this free circulation, while 

 too much sand is undesirable in that it does not hold 

 moisture. The most satisfactory soil carries about 

 seven-tenths sand, two-tenths clay and one-tenth decayed 

 vegetable matter or thoroughly rotted manure. Fresh 

 manure should never be used. A compost heap furnishes 

 good material in the form of decayed manure mixed with 

 fine soil. This heap should be prepared a year in advance, 

 and the alternate layers of earth and manure spaded and 

 turned occasionally to effect thorough mixing. In provid- 

 ing new soil the amount required will be from 2 to 3 

 cubic yards, to give the roots ample nourishment. 



Careful attention should be given to pruning before 

 planting. This applies to roots which may have suffered 

 injury in the process of digging or in moving, and it also 

 applies, in a very important measure, to the removal of 

 a considerable portion of the tree's top. (See Chap, xv) 



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