72 



plow cannot be used, can be dug with a spade any required 

 depth by trenching, which should be done in this manner : 

 commence on one side and open a trench two feet wide or so, 

 and in depth as recommended for ploughing ; carry off to the 

 opposite side the dirt taken out of it (to be used in filling the 

 last trench), then open the next and throw the surface soil 

 into the bottom of the first and subsoil on top, and so on until 

 the whole garden is trenched. In all cases for fruit trees, 

 grape vines, etc., this depth is essential, as the roots will cer- 

 tainly go that distance downwards in search of food. If not 

 ready to plant when your trees arrive, heel them at once, by 

 opening a trench deep and wide enough to admit all the roots, 

 being careful to cover the roots well to exclude air. When 

 ready to plant take off all bruised roots and mutilated branch- 

 es, making a clean slanting cut every time, and cut back the 

 last year's growth to two or three buds. Make the hole somewhat 

 larger than is necessary to admit of all the roots in their natural 

 position, and throw out the surface in one pile and the subsoil 

 in anotlier. Sink the hole about two feet and a half deep, 

 round it up with surface soil, and have three inches of the 

 trunk above where the roots branch out covered, on a level 

 with the surface. A great many trees are spoiled by both deep 

 and shallow planting. To set a tree to the proper depth, use a 

 narrow strip about five feet long, lay it across the hole on 

 the surface ; then set the tree in the hole, measure three 

 inches from where the upper roots branch out on the tree, to 

 the under side of strip, work pulverized surface soil between 

 and under the roots with the hand ; stretch out every little fibre 

 carefully, and when the roots are well covered tramp down 

 hard so that the tree will stand as firm as a post ; spread the 

 subsoil on top light and loose. 



Trees should be set leaning a little towards the north-west, 

 as most of our heavy gales blow from that direction, and 

 young trees with heavy tops cannot resist their forces. Conse- 

 quently we see a great many in our travels leaning towards 

 the east or south-east, when from seven to ten years old. Use 



