30 PLANTING. 



f cording to the extension of the roots of the 

 \ tree to be planted. It is the practice of many 

 individuals to make such small holes, that 

 when the roots are placed in them, they can- 

 riot be properly extended ; on the contrary 

 they are frequently obliged to be unnaturally 

 twisted and cramped, in order to get them 

 in. The roots of trees are naturally inclined 

 to proceed in a straight direction outwards, 

 therefore it is always proper to let them be 

 placed as much as possible in such position. 

 The roots of those trees that have previously 

 grown in pots, will particularly require this 

 attention. But it is a practice with me not 

 / only to make holes so large as to admit of 

 \ the roots being fully extended, but twelve or 

 / eighteen inches more than is required for that 

 I purpose. 



My reason for having the holes so much 

 wider is, that when a hole is made only just 

 as far as the roots extend, they upon push- 

 ing forth strike immediately into the soil that 

 has not been so lately lightened up as that 

 wherein the tree is planted, and which will 

 consequently settle more than the other ; and 

 when the roots begin to establish themselves 

 in the other part of the border, the ends of 

 them are unnaturally forced up, and out of 

 their proper direction, this is more particular- 

 ly the case with those trees that are planted 

 late in the winter or in spring. But if the trees 

 are planted in November or December, they 



