54 THE FOREST TREE CULTURIST 
ed that the more crowded the trees the more slender in 
erowth—the upper branches seeking the light, = the 
lower ones dying for the want of it. 
Never cut away a branch unless you can satisfactorily to 
yourself answer the question why. In such matters I 
would much rather trust to the common sense of the novice 
(if he will use it) than to the professional gardener who 
walks in the path which has been made for him by others, 
and who is afraid to deviate for fear of losing his way. 
It is not a general practice to prune evergreen trees at 
the time of transplanting, but with most kinds it can be 
done with safety and with benefit. Evergreen trees usual- 
ly do not extend their roots so widely as the deciduous 
trees, consequently they are more readily taken up entire, 
therefore obviating to some extent the necessity of lessen- 
ing the branches. 
When planting a tree of large size, say from ten to 
twenty feet high, and one that has large lateral roots, we 
should endeavor to make the soil under it of such a con- 
sistency that it will settle evenly—not more in the center 
than upon the outsides, for in that case there would be a 
vacuum left under the center of the tree, which should be 
avoided. If the roots are not sufficiently strong to hold 
up the tree and the soil above, then they become bent and 
thrown out of their natural position, which in most trees 
is at a slight angle from the stem downward. 
Very few persons will go to the expense of properly 
preparing soil for the reception of trees. Underdraining 
and thorough subsoiling should always be done if it is clay 
or heavy loam. Some will endeavor to make up for their 
