Laying Down Trees in Kansas. 103 



thrown over the tops. To facilitate the bending -down 

 of the tree, the earth was removed on the opposite 

 sides of the trunk, preferably north and south, and 

 on these sides the larger roots were cut off near the 

 base, those on the right and left being allowed to re- 

 main as far as possible undisturbed, to keep the tree 

 in unbroken connection with the soil. Now, as the 

 tree -trunk was inclined toward the earth, the lateral 

 roots, by twisting slightly, offered no resistance to 

 the operation. When the tree was sufficiently inclined, 

 forked stakes were driven over the branches into the 

 earth, to keep all in position. The soil was then 

 heaped well over the roots and base of the trunk, to 

 a depth sufficient to protect them thoroughly against 

 drying out, and finally the entire tree was covered 

 with whatever of suitable material was at hand. Not 

 having enough of this covering material upon the 

 grounds, we bought of a neighboring farmer the poor 

 hay in the top and bottom of an old stack at a nom- 

 inal cost. This final covering was put in place in 

 the last of November. To prevent the scattering of 

 the hay by the wind, we soon after found it expedi- 

 ent to hold it in place by throwing upon the piles a 

 lot of brush, grape prunings, and the trimmings of 

 the orchard. 



"Early in the following April (the 2d and 3d), 

 when the warm weather began to burst the buds, the 

 covering was removed, the trees raised to an upright 

 position, properly staked and tied, the blooming 

 shoots again shortened -in where necessary, the earth 

 replaced firmly about the roots, the ground leveled, 



