MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 717 



hidden, as to give no indication afterwards of their existence. 

 It must be obvious that the less the time which elapses be- 

 tween taking up and replanting, the better; and that'the roots 

 ought to be kept reasonably moist during the interval. The 

 tree should be replanted in a bed of rich earth finely pulverized. 

 This should be moistened ; but the practice of very copious 

 watering at the time of planting is condemned by Cobbett, and 

 many other authors, and is of very doubtful expediency. There 

 is reason to fear that many trees have been injured by a treat- 

 ment adapted only to aquatic plants. Some writers have sug- 

 gested the expediency of placing a layer of stones under the 

 tree, in order to prevent the roots from striking downwards, 

 and compel them to spread themselves near the surface of the 

 soil; but I apprehend that the direction of the roots may be 

 safely left to nature, and that there is no necessity of obstruct- 

 ing her in her operations. I doubt not, however, that the 

 stones may have operated beneficially in another way, that is, 

 by preserving a greater degree of coolness and moisture in the 

 ground, and thus fortifying the tree against the effects of dry 

 weather ; but it is very questionable whether they render any 

 greater benefit on the whole, to the tree, than it would derive 

 from an equal quantity of good loam. 



As to the depth at which trees should be set out in the soil, 

 there seems to be a general concurrence of opinion that it 

 should vary little, if any, from that at which they have pre- 

 viously stood in the nursery ; but as the earth round newly 

 planted trees is apt to settle, it may be prudent in the first in- 

 stance to plant them about an inch deeper. 



Stakes are sometimes used for the support of young trees • 

 but if the tree be properly planted, they cannot be necessary, 

 and may interfere seriously with the roots. If the trees are 

 well set, they can certainly hold their gi*ound without any arti- 

 ficial support. The spreading out of the rootlets with great 

 care is of much greater consequence ; and the time which, to a 

 careless observer, may seem to be wasted in doing this with 

 great nicety, will be amply repaid in the end by the vigor and 

 fruitfulness of the tree. 



After the tree is fairly planted, it is supposed by many at 

 least if we may judge from the appearance of some of our or- 

 chards, that all the planter's labors are over, and that he has 



