HOW TO PLANT. 85 



region where it was to be placed. Then, in its 

 committal to the ground, there has often been 

 the least possible consideration of the proper 

 requisites for a vigorous and successful growth. 

 The work has been intrusted but too frequently 

 to persons altogether uninterested in its suc- 

 cess, and ignorant of the necessary conditions 

 of growth. A hole has been hastily dug in the 

 ground, just large enough, probably, to allow the 

 roots of the tree to be crowded into it, the 

 lumpy earth has been shoveled back, the stamp 

 of a boot-heel given to it, possibly a dash of 

 water added, and the work has been considered 

 complete, and the tree expected to grow with- 

 out further attention. If failure has resulted, 

 as it has in so many cases, the result has been 

 attributed to the peculiarity of the season, or to 

 any other but the true cause, the ignorance or 

 carelessness of the planter or both together. 



Looking upon the tree, then, as a living 

 thing, having organs of delicate sensibility and 

 special functions, common sense would decide 

 that attention should be given, first, to the place 

 where it is to grow that is, where it is to feed 

 and have its life sustained. The character and 



