622 Jamin*s Catalogue raisonne 



" When a bad subsoil is found near the surface of the earth, instead of 

 breaking it up, we must, on the contrary, cover it with a thicker layer of good 

 mould, in order that the roots of the trees may not reach it ; plant near the 

 surface; and cover the roots properly with an addition of good soil, w-hich is 

 to be spread out so as to slope gradually for two or three yards round the 

 tree. The same method may be pursued if the bottom of the soil is watery 

 or rotten, unless it is considered preferable to drain it by stones or furrows. 



" A light and at the same time a substantial soil is the best for fruit trees : 

 ■when too stiff, it is improved by a mixture of sandy soil ; and a sandy soil is 

 improved by mixing it with a stiff one. Cow-dung is suitable for light soils, 

 and horse and sheep dung for strong soils. 



"Planting. — The first thing to be done in planting is to see that the bottom 

 of the whole contains at least from 12 in. to 15 in. of good soil, well broken, 

 on which the roots may be placed with confidence. This being ascertained, the 

 next thing is to dress the roots of the tree ; that is to say, the tips of the roots 

 are trimmed, and any injured ones cut off: the less the healthy roots are cut, 

 the better the operation has been performed. A man then takes the tree, puts 

 it in the place it is intended to occupy, spreads its roots as horizontally as 

 possible on the mould previously thrown into the hole, and holds it in an up- 

 right position, while another man, provided with a spade or a shovel, throws 

 earth well broken, and of good quality, on the roots and in the interstices. 

 When sufficient earth has been put to enable the tree to stand perpendicularly, 

 you take hold of it with both hands near the bottom of the stem, and shake 

 it to allow the fine mould to penetrate between its roots, and to bring the 

 graft on a level with the soil ; the mould is slightly pressed, the hole is then 

 entirely filled up, and a small concavity or basin is formed round the tree, to 

 expose the graft, and for the convenience of watering the tree if required. 

 The graft may be 1 or 2 inches below the level of the soil in a dry or light 

 soil, while it ought to be from 1 in. to 3 in. above it in a strong or damp soil. 



"'Plantino- being completed, it is of great advantage to put litter at the root 

 of each tree, that is to say, to cover the earth round their roots, to the depth 

 of 1 or 2 inches with short dung, leaves, or dried plants ; it preserves moisture, 

 and prevents the evaporation from watering, if that should be found to be 



necessary. /. -^t » -i 



" Time of Planting. — Planting may be earned on from November to April, 

 when not prevented by frost or heavy rains ; the rule is, to plant early in dry 

 and light soils, and as late as possible in strong, cold, and damp ones. After 

 late planting, it is more particularly necessary to pour a watering-potful or two 

 at the root of each tree, and cover it with litter. 



" If a package of trees is received in a severe frost, it must not be undone, 

 but laid in some sheltered place where it does not freeze, and not unpacked 

 till the weather becomes mild. When, at the time of planting, in March or 

 April, the roots of a tree that has come from a distance appear somewhat 

 dry, they must be soaked in a pail or tub of water for an hour or two, and 

 planted before they are dry again. ..... . , 



" First Cares necessary for a newly planted Tree. — In plantmg, it is determined 

 beforehand whether the tree is to have a stem bearing a head freely exposed 

 to the air, in this case a tree has been selected that was trained for the 

 purpose ; or a tree is required to be in the form of a pyramid or distaff, the 

 nurseryman supplies trees having a tendency to this form also; or a dwarf 

 tree is wanted to be trained as a bush or a fan. Here follow a few words on 



each form. ^ , i • i • 



" A tall.stemmed Tree (PArbre tige).— It often happens that, in planting a 

 tree with a tall stem, the head is cut at the same time that the roots are 

 dressed, that it may not be liable to be shaken afterwards ; it also sometimes 

 happens that reasons prevent this operation taking place till the flowing of 

 the sap. However this may be, the operation consists m leaving on the 

 head of the tree three, or rarely four, of the finest and best situated branches 

 to form the members of the new head, in cutting them at a good bud, at tiie 



