224 AMERICAN POMOLOGY. 



hole-digging, for these are synonymous ; it should be done 

 as soon as possible after the plow, on account of the fresh 

 furrow with its mellow soil. It is really a simple matter 

 and upon this method may be executed with great rapidi- 

 ty. The trees now receive their necessary trimming, 

 which consists in a liberal shortening of the branches, a 

 careful inspection of the roots, and a removal with a sharp 

 knife of such as may have been bruised or torn, and cut- 

 ting away any mat of fibres ; after this, they should be 

 puddled, and then carried out to their stations by a boy. 

 The planter follows ; with a bright spade he removes any 

 excess of soil at the station, scraping away such portions 

 of earth as he may find in the way of the roots when the 

 tree is placed by the stake. If the furrow has not been 

 recently made, it will be well always to remove a portion 

 of the surface, so as to have fresh soil next the roots. 

 The tree being placed near the stake, the roots are care- 

 fully spread out in their natural direction, and the moist 

 mellow earth is filled in among them, using the fingers 

 when necessary, and gently shaking the tree so as to leave 

 no empty cavities among the fibres. Pretty firm pressure 

 should now be made with the foot, especially upon the fine 

 earth placed above the ends of the roots ; this excludes 

 the air, by bringing the particles of soil in clos<3 proximity 

 to the roots, ready to receive the new fibres that will soon 

 be emitted from them. It also secures the tree in its place 

 better than tying to the stake, for each root acts as a guy 

 rope. In this manner the work may progress very rapid- 

 ly, and, at the same time, may be well done. Some plant- 

 ers always pour a liberal supply of water upon the mellow 

 earth, instead of pressing it with the foot. This will set- 



