24 THE HOME ACRE. 



at the three points of a triangle, the tree being its 

 centre. Then by a rope of straw or some soft 

 material the tree should be braced firmly between 

 the protecting stakes, and thus it is kept from 

 being whipped around by the wind. Should pe- 

 riods of drought ensue during the growing season, 

 it would be well to rake the mulch one side, and 

 saturate the ground around the young tree with an 

 abundance of water, and the mulch afterwards 

 spread as before. Such watering is often essential, 

 and it should be thorough. Unskilled persons 

 usually do more harm than good by their half- 

 way measures in this respect. 



Speaking of trees, it may so happen that the 

 acre is already in forest. Then, indeed, there 

 should be careful discrimination in the use of the 

 axe. It may be said that a fine tree is in the way 

 of the dwelling. Perhaps the proposed dwelling 

 is in the way of the tree. In England the work 

 of " groving," or thinning out trees, is carried to 

 the perfection of a fine art. One shudders at the 

 havoc which might be made by a stolid laborer. 

 Indeed, to nearly all who could be employed in 

 preparing a wooded acre for habitation, a tree 

 would be looked upon as little more than so much 

 cord-wood or lumber. 



If I had a wooded acre I should study the trees 

 most carefully before coming to any decision as 



