Town Planting 95 



Manure is sometimes added to the soil, but it is objectionable 

 from several points of view, and, if used at all, should be 

 thoroughly decomposed and incorporated in small quantity. 

 Good loam and leaf soil is infinitely preferable, and, where 

 necessary, sandy soil makes a good addition. A little fresh 

 lime added to the soil has been found most beneficial in 

 town planting, and in old and exhausted borders, where 

 the soil has become tainted with chemical impurities, the 

 value of lime or chalk as a cleansing agent is not sufficiently 

 appreciated. Of course, where so-called American shrubs 

 are to be planted which is, however, rarely attempted 

 in London neither chalk nor lime should be added to the 

 soil. This question of soil is so important that no one 

 planting street trees or shrubs can afford to ignore it, and 

 while the extra cost in providing it is but little, the 

 advantages gained are great. 



Preparing the Trees and Planting. Trees intended 

 for planting in towns, and especially alongside streets and 

 footpaths, should be specially prepared in the matter of 

 transplanting and pruning. As tree guards are a necessity 

 in protecting trees by the sides of streets, the trees must 

 have their stems free of branches ; therefore the buds and 

 branches on the stems need to be removed for a distance of 

 6 or 7 ft., whilst surplus leading shoots and ungainly branches 

 should at the same time receive attention in pruning. The 

 tree also needs to be frequently transplanted in order that 

 an abundance of fibrous roots may be produced, and every 

 effort made to produce healthy, vigorous specimens suitable 

 for the uncongenial surroundings of their permanent quar- 

 ters. In street planting it is advisable to use trees that are 

 from 12 to 14 ft. in height ; and if these, for some years 

 previously to their final shift, have been specially prepared 

 in the way of frequent transplanting and careful pruning, 

 little fear for their future welfare need be entertained. 

 Autumn or early spring planting is to be recommended, 

 the former time being in most cases preferable. As little 

 time as possible should be allowed to elapse between the 

 lifting of the tree in the nursery and its being transplanted 

 in the new position. Spread the roots out to their full 



