PROPAGATION OF TREES AND SHRUBS FROM SEED. 155 



up, and the tap roots cut well back ; the cuts should be clean and 

 smooth, so they will quickly callous and send forth plenty of 3'oung 

 fibres, which would take some time if the cuts were not smooth. If 

 any of the tops are crooked they should be cut back to a good 

 strong eye ; this will cause them to make a straight leader. 

 When taking up the young trees, they should not be exposed to 

 dr3'ing winds, or hot sun, even for a few minutes, but as soon as 

 taken up the}- should be tied in bundles, and the roots well 

 sprinkled with water, and covered with a mat, or piece of old 

 bagging, and kept moist until they are planted. There is no doubt 

 that a great man}' failures in tree planting could be traced to the 

 drying up of the roots before planting, and it has often been a 

 wonder to me how some trees grew at all, considering the treatment 

 the}' received. 



The Nursery. — Having a good piece of land well prepared, 

 eitlier by trenching or ploughing, mark out rows three feet apart 

 with a spade or plough ; if with a plough go twice in a furrow, 

 which will usually make the drills deep enough for trees one year 

 old, and, if they are to remain only one year, one foot apart will do 

 for the larger growing kinds, and six inches for the smaller ones ; 

 if to remain a longer period a much greater distance will be 

 required. 



In transplanting trees the roots should be well spread and the 

 soil worked well in about them, and well firmed with the feet. 

 Our seasons for planting are often so short that we have to plant 

 in all kinds of weather, though it is best not to plant when the 

 ground is wet, if it can be avoided. The best time is when the soil 

 is dry enough to crumble easily ; it can then be worked among the 

 finest roots, even if there are a great many of them, by taking hold 

 of the tree and giving it three or four good shakes as the soil is 

 being spread around the roots ; but it is hard work to get it among 

 the roots when it is wet and pasty. After planting, weeds should 

 never be allowed to get a foothold in the nursery, but it should be 

 cultivated at least once every two weeks, and all weeds cut out 

 with a hoe between the plants. This will help the tree to with- 

 stand a long drought much better than it otherwise would, and at 

 no great cost. 



At the end of the second year almost all deciduous trees, if for 

 forest planting, will be as large, as it is profitable to plant in large 

 quantities. If wanted for ornamental pui-poses tliey will need to be 

 transplanted at least every two or three years, and carefully pruned 



