108 FOREST PLANTING. 



creates a displacement of the roots before they have 

 taken any hold in the soil, resulting in injury or death 

 to the tree. Mulching must not be dispensed with. Its 

 object is to keep the soil moist until the roots obtain a 

 strong hold. This may be overdone. Mulch for shade 

 only. A large mass of decaying matter is more hurtful 

 than beneficial. We can not avoid all risks in trans- 

 planting ; but if these conditions, which we repeat, are 

 followed, the risk will be very much lessened : (1) Care- 

 ful removal ; (2) protection from drying while out of 

 the ground ; (3) setting in warm, well-pulverized soil ; 

 (4) hard tramping* the soil about the roots ; (5) judi- 

 cious pruning ; (6) stalking ; and (7) mulching. 



All this requires care and labor ; but it will make the 

 difference between a thrifty tree, and a stunted, un- 

 healthy specimen. 



* We would not advise hard tramping, but rattier gently pressing 

 down — not too firmly— to the level of the surrounding surface. At all 

 events, heaping the soil around the tree should be avoided. 



