PLANTING SUGGESTIONS 



ON ARRIVAL, the bales or cases should at once be opened, and if the 

 material cannot be promptly planted it should be "heeled -in." To do this, 

 dig a trench from I /^ to 2 feet in depth and of sufficient width to accom- 

 modate the roots without bending them. In this trench set the trees 

 close together, cover the roots with soil, mounding it up along the line of 

 the trench, so that it will turn off the water in case of heavy rains. This 

 is of special importance where trees must remain heeled -in any length of 

 time. If the trees can be planted at once, the most important point is the 

 preparation of the hole; this should be dug at least one foot wider than 

 the spread of the roots of the tree to be set, and in good soil should be 

 from 15 to 24 inches in depth, unless for a very large specimen, when it 

 should be proportionately deeper. In case the soil is not good, a much 

 larger hole should be excavated and filled with good soil. Should the 

 planting space be in a clayey soil, the bottom of the hole should be loosened 

 up; If possible, dig entirely through the clay. If not, dig deep enough to 

 fill in with stone or some loose material that will insure drainage. 



WHEN SETTING THE TREE, take care that all broken portions of roots 

 are cut off in a clean, careful manner; then set the tree, spreading the roots 

 in a natural position, taking care that the small fibers are not twisted or 

 crowded. Fill in with good, fine soil, which should be worked carefully 

 under the roots so that no spaces remain unfilled. Be careful not to plant 

 too deep. The tree will generally show by the soil -mark on its bark the 

 depth at which it stood in the nursery, and it should not be set more 

 than 2 or 3 inches deeper. As the soil is filled in by layers, it should 

 be carefully trampled until quite firm, and when the hole is filled within 

 an inch or two of the top, the last of the soil should be spread without 

 trampling. 



KIND OF SOIL. We are frequently asked what kind of soil to use and 

 with what to enrich it. Just here we would emphasize the fact that too 

 much care cannot be taken with the preparation of the hole for planting. 

 It is absolutely necessary that the tree be given a quantity of good soil if 

 one would attain satisfactory results. The very best soil obtainable is that 

 from an old meadow where the rich top-soil and sod can be stripped and 

 thrown together. It is always advisable, where much planting is done, to 

 have a compost heap prepared the season previous by putting soil and 

 manure in alternate layers, and have the pile turned two or three times. 

 When either of these kinds of soil is not possible, old thoroughly rotted 

 manure can be mixed with the soil for planting; but in no case should 

 fresh manure or patent fertilizers be used. 



