25 



weather and there is no earth around their roots to give them a 

 start. They should be opened at once and placed in a cool cellar 

 with damp moss around the roots, or the roots buried in some 

 moist shady place till evening. In the afternoon prepare the 

 ground so that it may be fresh, and as soon as the sun is oiF com- 

 mence setting. If the roots look at all black shorten them one- 

 third as in spring, in order to stimulate a new growth. Other- 

 wise we do not shorten roots in summer and fall. Mix good, 

 fine garden soil with water till a sticky paste is made that will 

 coat the roots as you dip them into it, then put them down their 

 full depth in the moist soil, spreading them as far as it can be 

 done, and press the ground very firmly about them. Water thor- 

 oughly, soak the ground and then draw over the wet surface dry 

 earth. It is well to shade them for a few daj's by large inverted 

 flower-pots, boards, shingles, old strawberry baskets, etc. A 

 mulch of cut grass or litter of any kind that serves to keep the 

 ground moist, is of value. I have had excellent success on a 

 large scale by throwing a handful of coarse weeds on the top of 

 each plant, being sure to remove them by five p. m. each day, 

 and putting them back in the morning, continuing the protection 

 till the plants start to grow. Then the danger is over unless it 

 should be very dry, in which case the ground around them must 

 be kept moist till rain comes. By the liberal use of mulch, this 

 can be done quite easily. 



With late fall plantings, as in spring, there is little danger from 

 drouth and heat, but the plants often do not become sufficiently 

 established to stand the winter. 



I would suggest the general trial of the experiment of covering 

 late plantings with two inches of earth in November or December 

 Mccording to latitude and then uncovering early in spring. Time 

 •rind labor is abundant in the fall and plants which can be made 

 to survive the winter start with almost double vigor in the spring. 



But if one is going to plant largely and can get his land ready 

 the work can be more easily and safely performed in spring than 

 any other time. 



Having set out our plants we next consider 



