Location, Exposure, Soils, and Windbreaks 27 



The same care should be given to planting as would be 

 taken in setting an orchard. Seedling trees, two years old, 

 are better in most cases than large trees, as they will bear 

 transplanting more readily, are easily handled, and the 

 cost is much reduced. Trim off all broken and bruised 

 roots with a sharp knife, and cut back the tops to corre- 

 spond. Set the trees an inch or two deeper than when 

 in the nursery, and firm the soil about the roots. 



As soon as planted, irrigate, if water is available. If not, 

 give a shallow cultivation to check surface evaporation. 

 Cultivation should be continued during the growing sea- 

 son, especially after each rainfall or irrigation. Such care 

 should be continued during the first three to five years, or 

 until the trees shade the ground between the rows. A 

 mulch of old straw at this time may be placed between the 

 rows, and will assist the trees in keeping down grass and 

 weeds. 



Pruning is not desirable, unless it be so done as to cause 

 a thicker growth. Thus, in the case of the willow, many 

 smaller stems may be secured by cutting out the main 

 trunk a foot or so above the ground when four or five years 

 old. In this way a single, or, better still, a double row of 

 willows, closely planted, may be used as a hedge, which 

 will also serve as a very effective windbreak. 



