176 PERMANENT PLANTATIONS. 



retentive. The proper way to furnish these materials is 

 to dig large holes and put a good bed, twelve to eighteen 

 inches deep, of the compost in the bottom under the trees. 

 Lime should form a part of all composts, and especially 

 for the apple and pear ; half a peck may be mixed with 

 the bed of each tree in soil not naturally calcareous. In 

 digging the holes, the good surface soil should be laid on 

 one side, so that it can be used to fill in among the roots, 

 and for this purpose it should be as finely pulverized as 

 possible. 



When the compost has been laid in the bottom of the 

 hole, and a layer of fine surface soil spread over it, so as 

 to be highest in the centre, the tree is set on it, so that 

 when the planting is finished, the collar will be about two 

 inches below the surface. In the case of trees on dwarf 

 stocks, such as pears on quince, all tlit -stock must be under 

 the ground. The roots must be carefully adjusted so that 

 each one is spread out in its natural position ; the fine 

 earth is then filled in amongst them so that no vacancies 

 will be left ; the upper roots should be held back by the 

 pei-son who holds the tree until the lower ones are covered. 

 When the filling in is half done, it may be gently trodden 

 down with the foot, so as to give the tree a firmer hold of 

 the ground. In advanced spring planting, a pail of water 

 might be given to each tree when the earth is filled partly 

 in ; at other times it is unnecessary, if not injurious. 



llth. Staking. Where the trees are large, or the situa- 

 tion is exposed, either one or two stakes should be planted 

 with each tree, to which it must be kept fastened for the 

 fh'st season, until the roots have fixed themselves in the 

 ground. A proper provision must be made to prevent the 

 tree from rubbing or chafing against the stake. When 

 two stakes are used it may be fastened to each in such a 

 way as not to rub against either. 



12th. Mulching. This should be looked upon as an 



