AFTER PLANTING. As soon as the hole is filled and the tree has been 

 properly and firmly set, spread over the surface a layer 4 or 5 inches thick 

 of either old or fresh manure ; this layer should extend a foot or two 

 beyond the line of the newly filled hole, and this mulching is important, as 

 it will help to hold moisture; and moisture is, after careful planting, the 

 most important aid to insure success. It should be borne in mind that 

 when a tree is transplanted, no matter how carefully the work is done, 

 it is impossible to take up the entire root system, and therefore before it 

 is able to care for itself it must form new roots, which must take hold 

 of the soil. In the meantime, by the action of the wind and sun, the 

 moisture is being continually evaporated from the trunk and branches, 

 and this must be balanced by an artificial supply. During dry spells and 

 hot weather of the following season, the soil around the base of the tree, 

 for a space wider than the original hole, should be frequently watered, 

 but not so as to make the ground soggy. When possible the foliage 

 should be sprayed. 



PRUNING 



As it is impossible to transplant a tree without affecting the root 

 system, it is important, in order to balance the supply and to help avoid 

 excessive evaporation, that the top of the tree should be cut back. The 

 amount of cutting depends entirely on the amount of fibrous root carried 

 by the tree, although hard -wooded varieties usually require harder cutting 

 than soft woods. It is a good rule to remove about three -fourths of last 

 year's growth from all the branches; and in doing this use a sharp knife, 

 making a perfectly clean cut, and taking off the branch or part of branch 

 either at a fork or close to a strong bud. Be very careful not to leave 

 stumps, as they invariably die back and create decay. The best time for 

 pruning is when the trees are set out, and if they are large it will be found 

 advisable to cut them before they are planted; but in every case be careful 

 to preserve the natural form of the tree, and do not cut back into old 

 heavy wood that does not show buds. SHRUBBERY pruning should be 

 done with a knife, not with hedge shears, and as a rule just after the 

 plants have flowered; but in some cases this would prevent the showy fruits 

 and seeds in the autumn. It is almost impossible to give general directions 

 for pruning shrubbery that will apply to all. 



The whole subject of successful planting may be briefly summed up 

 as follows: A well -drained hole larger than the spread of the roots; good 

 soil, broken roots carefully trimmed and the top branches shortened in; 

 soil packed so that the tree stands quite firm, a heavy mulching as soon as 

 the planting is completed, and careful watering during the first season. 



