i6a 



Cultivation. 



After planting the soil must be kept mellow by frequent 

 cultivation. The "dust mulch" is especially necessary with 

 evergreens. By "dust mulch" is meant a layer of loose 

 earth made by constant stirring of the soil all through the 

 growing season. This prevents baking of the soil and the escape 

 of moisture. The drier the season, the greater the necessity 

 for frequent cultivation. Many people make a mistake by 

 mulching young trees heavily and doing no cultivating. It 

 must be remembered that the roots need air as well as mois- 

 ture, and that the best mulch is the "dust mulch." Where 

 frequent stirring of the soil is impracticable or inconvenient; 

 such, for instance, in the case of large trees on the lawn, a 

 mulch of old hay, leaves, well rotted stable litter or similar 

 non-heating material may be applied. Bright .straw reflects 

 the sun and favors burning of the leaves. But the mulch must 

 be removed at intervals and the ground stirred thoroughly 

 with a hoe or light spade. Soil that is left undisturbed all 

 summer under a mulch will often bake very hard, especially 

 in a dry season. 



When dry weather comes on in July and August it may 

 be necessary to water evergreens, especially for the first two 

 or three years after transplanting, because the soil dries down 

 deeper than the roots extend. 



After several years the roots will have extended down to 

 permanent moisture and can take better care of themselves. 

 If watering becomes necessary, do not water every day as 

 that is the best and surest way to kill them, but water at 

 intervals of a few days and then give the ground a good soak- 

 ing. Just before the ground freezes in autumn it is espec- 

 ially desirable to wet the roots very thoroughly as it pre- 

 vents the drying out by winter winds. This process of win- 

 ter dessication is very trying on all trees and shrubs, but 

 especially on evergreens, as they have foliage all winter 

 while the roots are ice-bound. Hence it pays to protect an 

 evergreen windbreak by several rows of cheaper trees, such 



