WESTBURY STATION, N. Y. 



87 



Proper Planting 



Planting a Tree 



HOLES. Dig wide, deep holes. If the subsoil is poor, dig 2> feet deep, and fill the bottom with 

 a foot of good soil mixed with one-fourth rotted manure. 



TRIMMING. Trim as shown in the picture, cutting back half of last year's growth on the ends 

 of the main branches. Cut out most of the inside twigs. Leave some buds on every branch. Cut 

 close to a bud or side branch. 



Trim Shrubs by removing the old or 

 largest shoots. Do not trim to a round 

 form. 



ROOTS. Avoid breaking by rough 

 handling. Cut smooth the broken roots, 

 as at A, and spread roots in natural posi- 

 tion the same depth as before. Pack the 

 soil firmly under and between the roots, 

 leaving no air spaces. Soak the ground 

 thoroughly. 



MULCH. Cover ground with a mulch 

 of strawy manure, leaves or salt hay, or 

 keep a dry, fine earth-mulch by hoeing 

 4 inches deep and wider than the roots 

 extend, once in two weeks, all summer, 

 especially a day after heavy rains or 

 watering. The next spring dig in the 

 mulch, add fertilizer and more mulch. 



FERTILIZERS. Manure is not a 

 complete plant-food. Apply on top or 

 mix in the soil, but not against the roots, 

 one quart of fertilizer, which should con- 

 tain 5 to ro per cent of potash. Wood- 

 ashes and bone-flour are excellent. Avoid 

 too much manure, as it may rot the roots. 

 WATER. Water once a week, or once 

 in two weeks, from May to August, by 

 soaking the ground thoroughly with half a 

 barrel of water, unless there are heavy 

 and frequent rains. Over-watering and 

 too frequent watering often kills trees. 



Keep down weeds. A few weeds 

 will take up more food and water than 

 the tree. 



HEELING-IN. To heel-in, or temporarily plant trees on arrival, dig a trench large enough to 

 contain all the roots and place the trees in it in a slanting position, spread out the roots, pack earth 

 around, and water. Covering the ground with a mulch of leaves or litter will be found to be very 

 beneficial to them. 



STAKES. Stakes or guys are needed only with tall or large trees, or those with poor roots. A 

 tree of the size shown, with good roots, needs no stake or wire. For larger trees, rig three or four 

 double wire guys, and twist tight, as shown. For smaller or slender trees use a 3 x 3-inch stake, 

 running it up into the top if necessary, and fasten closely to the tree by cord and hose or burlap 

 bands. To protect from horses on the street, place galvanized wire cloth (i-inch mesh) around the 

 tree and nail it to the stake. 



EVERGREENS. Evergreen tree roots must not be allowed to dry out in the least. If possible, 

 select a foggy time for moving them, and in doubtful cases, set a barrel of water near and sprinkle 

 the tops several times a day for a week or two. When carting trees, use blankets or sail-cloth to 

 cover the roots. 



If these directions are intelligently followed, and trees do not live and grow, please write us 



Planting Linden Tree. 



