ARBOR DAY. 47 



ORCHARDS AND WINDBREAKS. Perhaps one of the 

 greatest mistakes is the imperfect preparation of the soil 

 and careless manner of planting. In planting an orchard 

 or windbreak, the ground should be plowed deeply and 

 brought to the best possible condition before setting the 

 trees; it can be done then much better and more easily 

 than afterwards. Where trees are planted singly, dig large 

 holes and loosen the ground deeply in the bottom, but set 

 the tree only a trifle deeper than it stood before ; spread 

 out the roots in their natural position and work in the fine 

 earth among them. A couple of pails of water thrown in, 

 when the hole is two-thirds full, will be an advantage. 

 When this has settled away, fill up the hole, tramping the 

 earth firmly. Where trees have long bodies or trunks, 

 it is advisable, when digging, to mark the south side of 

 the tree and set in the same position as before, or in case 

 this is not practicable, to protect the south and south-west 

 sides slightly from the direct rays of the sun for a year or 

 two. After planting is attended to, good cultivation or 



PROPER MULCHING is NECESSARY. If mulching is 

 done, it should extend for some distance around the tree. 

 A great mistake is often made in this respect. I have seen 

 mulching put around trees just the size of the hole, and the 

 consequence was that in a dry time there would be a crack 

 all around the circumference of the hole, and the mulching 

 was worse than useless in hiding the mischief. Coarse, 



