BEST AGE FOR TRANSPLANTING. 13 



Ere we leave this chapter on planting, let us remind 

 those who plant, that the holes should be four inches 

 at least larger than the diameter of the roots ; that the 

 base center of the hole should be just a little crowning ; 

 that the roots should be carefully spread as they natur- 

 ally grew, and fine, rich earth no manure placed in 

 and around them, by the fingers of the hand outspread. 

 Place the tree so that its upper tier of roots will be cover- 

 ed four inches. Do not tread with the foot upon the loose 

 ground over the roots, for it only has a tendency to bend 

 them out of place, and a crooked root is sure to make a 

 crooked tree. The hand or spread finger pressure of 

 the earth firmly at the base of the tree will cause it to 

 stand firmly and never need a stake or outside support. 

 The writer of this has planted thousands of trees from 

 one foot to forty feet in height, and never used a stake. 

 Mulching, with coarse manure at first, then in June with 

 fresh mown grass, a distance of say six feet diameter 

 around the body and over the roots is what is needed 

 the first year after transplanting. 



