234 AMERICAN POMOLOGY. 



be at band to put into the hole, and fine dry loamy soil 

 should be sifted into this, or simply thrown in from the 

 shovel, and thoroughly mixed, so as to bring the fluid to 

 the consistency of thick cream. Into this mud the roots 

 are dipped, until every fibre is endued with a coating of 

 the fine material; the trees then are ready for tying 

 snugly together, and a little dry dirt may be sprinkled or 

 sifted upon the roots while they are still wet, so as to 

 give them a further protection from the elements. They 

 are then securely bound, each kind by itself, and each . 

 carefully labeled, if not already done ; and as soon as all 

 are grouped together, they are ready for transportation to 

 their new homes. If the distance be short, so that the 

 trees may be carried on the farm-wagon, no packing is 

 used, unless the weather proves very inclement, but it is 

 always safer to guard against both wind and sun, by cov- 

 ering the roots from their influence. For distant trans- 

 portation, too much care cannot be taken to have the 

 trees well packed to protect the roots from drying and 

 freezing. 



In our uncertain climate, it not unfrequently happens that 

 we receive an invoice of trees in the midst of a severe storm 

 of cold, when the ground is frozen hard, and we have 

 reason to suppose that the roots in the cases are frozen. 

 This need not discourage nor alarm us, if the packing be 

 good, for we have only to be patient and allow them time 

 to thaw out thoroughly in the dark, and we shall find our 

 trees all right. The packages should be placed at once in 

 a dark cellar, and allowed to thaw gradually if no such 

 convenience be at hand, the boxes may be buried in the 

 soil, or covered heavily with straw or hay, materials which 



