422 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



is more harmful to the well-being of any plant than to cramp its roots 

 into a small hole. The latter should be square and not less than 4 

 feet in diameter, and the soil taken out to a depth of 2 feet. The 

 soil in the bottom of the hole must also be well turned over, but not 

 removed. A reliable guide as to the depth at which fruit trees ought 

 to be planted is to note how deep they have been before ; this can 

 invariably be seen by examining the bases of the stems. When the 

 work is finished the roots nearest to the surface of the ground should 

 be at least 4 or 5 inches deep. Many cultivators prepare the holes 

 several weeks before planting time, an excellent plan. The soil is 

 taken out as above mentioned, a few barrow-loads of new soil are 

 added, the subsoil (that at the bottom) well broken up, and the hole 

 is refilled. Thus, by the time the trees are ready for planting the soil 

 has returned to its normal level, and the trees are in no danger of 

 sinking too low after planting. If, however, the trees are made firm 

 in ground that has only been recently prepared there is little danger 

 of their sinking low enough to affect their welfare. If the hole be 2 

 feet deep, with the subsoil well turned over, the former must be filled 

 in such a way that the tree when placed therein is at its proper depth, 

 as shown by the soil-mark on the stem, indicating how deep it had 

 been previously. Say, for instance, that it was necessary to fill the 

 hole 12 inches for this purpose, one or two barrow-loads of fresh 

 soil should be mixed with the natural soil taken out, and a sufficient 

 quantity of both returned together. Make this quite firm by treading 

 it well down, and place upon the top a thin covering of new soil. 

 Remove all bruised and broken ends of roots with a sharp knife by 

 making an upward slanting cut. The root fibres that push from the 

 upper portion of the cut end will then remain near the surface and 

 not tend to grow downwards, as when the cut is made in the opposite 

 direction. When the hole is ready to receive the tree the soil therein 

 should be raised a little in the centre, so that when the tree is planted 

 the roots slope slightly towards the sides of the hole. 



In planting, be careful to place a few of the roots in at a time. 

 When the lowest of all have been spread out carefully, cover them 

 over with fresh soil. Throw the soil to the base of the stem, and with 

 the hand draw it gently towards the extremities of the roots, which are 

 then kept in position, and the soil is well worked in amongst them. 

 Make this quite firm, and follow the same practice precisely with the 

 next layer of roots, and so on until all are covered. Then fill the 

 hole with the remaining soil, making it firm as it is thrown in, so that 

 when the work is finished the tree may be thoroughly safe. It is a 

 good plan to work the soil after covering each layer of roots, and at 

 the same time to gently shake the tree. This materially helps to settle 

 the soil around the roots ; it is then unnecessary to tread the former 

 so hard. If the trees planted are trained as tall standards, each will 

 need the support of a stout stake driven into the ground a few inches 

 away from its base. Tarred string is good material with which to tie 

 the tree to the stake, or thick wire may be used. A piece of leather 



