18 CORDON TRAINING. 



important to bear in mind, but is very seldom at- 

 tended to, although it is ruinous to the tree to 

 neglect this precaution. 



The earth from the bottom of th e pit. which 

 should be ample and large, should be placed in 



/ one side of the hole, and that which came from 

 the surface on the opposite side. Then when 

 your tree is planted, the upper soil should be 

 placed near the roots at the bottom, and the 

 earth from the lowest part, mixed with some 



, leaf-mould and sand, will serve well for the top. 



I Place the tree on a gentle mound in the centre 

 of the hole, lightly powder the earth over and 

 between the central roots, but press down rather 

 firmly the earth over the extremities of the 

 roots, having first well spread them flatly in 

 every direction. A stake to which the tree 

 shall be firmly tied completes the operation, not, 

 however, forgetting to have the name of the tree 

 written on a label attached to it. Zinc, or wood 

 painted, is best for labels. Avoid all stimulating 

 manures in contact with the tender fibrous roots, 

 adding only vegetable mould, and calcareous mat- 

 ter with it. No tree should be planted in damp 

 situations ; but if this be unavoidable, a drainage 

 of four or six inches of stones, or oyster shells, 

 will tend to remedy this. 



There is some variety in the soils proper to 



( the various kinds of fruit-trees. The^lum^ the_ 



j cherry, and the apricot, require an argilo-cal- 



