2 On Planthig Trees, a7id Staking. 



very little or no use at all to the roots ; and these will find below, in the 

 heavy and hard stuff, a very poor fare. 



But to come to the theme of " staking." I have supposed, from long prac- 

 tice and experience, — and facts prove themselves, — that staking trees is 

 far more successful than the many systems of planting without stakes. 



I do not pretend that staking need be employed on every occasion. 

 Young trees, shrubs, small evergreens, and, generally, plants of which the 

 tops are not out of proportion to the roots, or on which the wind has no 

 power, do not require staking ; but, even in these cases, it may be of 

 advantage. 



In growing small, young plants, the foliage of which often bends the 

 leaves downwards by its weight, the staking and tying-up of the leaves will 

 straighten the cells, the sap will circulate more freely, and the plants 

 will grow twice as much in one season. This is even so with weeping- 

 plants. It would seem as if tying them up would bring them out of their 

 natural growth, and check them : but this is not so ; experience will prove 

 the contrary. 



In planting tall-shafted trees, such as avenue-trees, lawn-trees, and tall 

 standard trees for orchards, staking is of the highest importance : without 

 it, by chance, a plantation of such trees may succeed ; with staking, it must 

 succeed ; but the staking must be done in the right way. 



Suppose an avenue or an orchard to be planted where taste and order 

 require the trees to grow up simultaneously, of the same size, shape, and 

 regularity. If, during two, three, and four years, there are some trees to be 

 replaced, those that succeed the first year will grow over those that will 

 be replaced the second or third year ; and how will the last ones be able, 

 between their already stout mates, to attain the same vigor ? 



The development of the young fibrous roots is essential to the growth of 

 the tree. A tree with a tall shaft may be planted with the greatest care ; 

 the ground may be trodden down hard ; the surface around the tree may 

 be covered with mulching or with heavy stones : all this will not prevent 

 the wind from acting on the tree as a lever, and shaking it to the very roots. 



This power of the wind will be the stronger when the tree begins to show 

 its foliage ; which is also the time when the young, delicate, fibrous roots 

 begin to start. A strong blow comes, and bends the tree : the big old roots 



