PREPARATION OF GROUND. 27 



digging of single holes is about the worst possible plan 

 that can be adopted, each hole becoming a mere pan or 

 basin to hold water. In this stagnant water the roots 

 and fibres decay, and the tree becomes stunted, cankered, 

 and unhealthy. But in circumstances where this digging 

 of single holes is the only plan that can be adopted 

 where the land is in grass, and intended to remain so 

 let the evils alluded to be avoided by arranging some 

 means of draining the water from each hole, such as 

 running a drain between each alternate row of holes, and 

 connecting the holes on either side with the drain. 



As to the condition of land best suited for planting, 

 probably that from which a root crop has been taken, after 

 having been well manured for the roots, may be the best 

 of all. The land will then necessarily have been well 

 worked for the roots, and well mannred ; the residue of 

 the manure will be sufficient for the trees at the time of 

 planting, and will be in the best condition for the newly 

 forming roots to feed upon. But if the planting is to 

 follow a corn crop, it will be naturally in a more ex- 

 hausted condition, and will require the application of 

 more manure at the time of planting. 



One of the most important considerations is to select 

 land that is clean ; otherwise, if trees are planted upon 

 land encumbered with weeds, and they once get amongst 

 the roots of the trees, great annoyance and expense will 

 be the result for years, and many of the more tenacious 

 weeds cannot afterwards be extracted without injury to 

 the tree. 



If the land be in a poor condition, and has been badly 

 cultivated, it will be far better to wait another season 

 before planting, in order to clean and give good prepara- 

 tion, than to attempt to plant it in an unsuitable condition. 



