HOW TO PLANT. 103 



in diameter, and the lower end with a clean 

 cut, without bruising or mashing. Of maples, 

 the two-year-old wood is best; of the other 

 kinds it makes but little difference, if the 

 growth is free and healthy. Tie in bundles 

 with willows, the lower end nicely evened, so 

 that when placed on the ground in spring 

 every piece will touch the moist earth. Pack 

 the bundles in a dry-goods box with moist 

 prairie soil, putting the box where it will not 

 get too dry or wet, and will not freeze. With 

 the first warm weather of spring, clean off a 

 spot under an old hay-stack, level the surface 

 carefully, and set the bundles, butt-end down, 

 closely together, upon the fresh, moist earth, 

 then cover them with straw so as to keep 

 them from the air. By the time the ground 

 gets warm enough to plant, the base of the 

 cuttings will be softened, and most of them 

 will have small roots." 



Process of Planting. 



We have already said enough, perhaps, con- 

 cerning the roots of trees and their functions 



