On Planti7ig Trees, and Stakmg. 3 



will bend with it, notwithstanding the heavy stones and the mulching ; 

 and the young fibres, already striking into the earth, will be broken off. 



The consequence will be, that the sap will be interrupted in its circula- 

 tion, the foliage will be without supply, and the tree will have to wait for 

 the second sap in August or September, or perhaps until the next spring, 

 and have, meanwhile, plenty of time to dry up altogether. 



To prevent this, staking is the radical remedy ; but, as already said, it 

 must be done in the right way, or better not at all. 



Procure, first, good straight stakes, pointed at one end, about eighteen 

 inches or two feet taller than the trees to be planted, measured from the 

 roots to the top. Open the holes the required width and depth, and drive 

 the stakes directly down in the subsoil some eight to twelve inches, at about 

 two or three inches in the rear of the line on which the trees have to stand, 

 and at regular distances from each other. 



Root-prune the tree, so as to remove carefully with a sharp knife all parts 

 that have been bruised. 



In digging up trees during the fall where the soil is very hard, the strong 

 roots are generally cut with the spade, and the fibrous roots are mostly 

 pulled. In this way, it often happens that the small roots seem very sound. 

 In examining closely such small roots, it will be found, that, although ap- 

 parently sound, the wood inside is torn in pieces, with vacancies of some- 

 times a quarter of an inch. If so, they are good for nothing, and should 

 be pruned off 



The top must be pruned also ; and the more of the last year's limbs re- 

 duced or cut back to three or four buds, the better. Small limbs that may 

 happen to be along the shaft may be reduced to one or two inches, and 

 left as spurs. 



Once prepared, the tree must be brought as near the stake as possible 

 by introducing the stake somewhere between two roots. In staking after 

 planting, you can never bring the stake near enough to the tree without 

 bruising the roots. 



I'he hole being filled, the tree must be tied in a very loose manner, per- 

 mitting it to sink down along the stake gradually with the removed earth. 



This precaution is the more necessary, as, by fastening the tree directly 

 after planting, the ground will settle right and left of the roots ; and the 



