26 TRANSPLANTING. 



of the tree, do not shake it up and down or swing it ahont, but 

 let it he held firroly in place while the earth is being placed among 

 and over the roots. / 



Mulching, by which is meant the spreading of coarse manure, 

 half rotted straw, or any other litter on the ground over the 

 roots of the trees, wOl be always found of great service in keep- 

 ing the ground cool and moist, and promoting the growth of 

 newly transplanted trees, particularly if the succeeding slimmer 

 should be hot and dry. There is a substitute for mulching that 

 is perhaps better than a mulch, but in the huiry of summer work 

 it is so sure to be neglected that the planter had better mulch bis 

 trees as soon after plantiag as possible. If, however, he will 

 keep the ground loose and friable around his trees by frequently 

 stirring the surface, and never allow it to become baked and hard, 

 he may safely dispense with mulching. But because it is recom- 

 mended to spread coarse manure on the surface of the ground, let 

 it not be therefore inferred that it is ever advisable to place fresh 

 manure in the soil about the roots of the trees. It is very apt to 

 Tn'll newly planted trees, and sure to do more harm than good. 

 If it is thought necessary to enrich the soU, old and perfectly 

 rotted manure may be thoroughly iacorporated with it, but the 

 safer way is to place the manure on the surface, and let its ferti- 

 lizing properties be gradually washed down by the rains. It is 

 very seldom that trees which have been carefully taken up, care- 

 fully planted, and well mulched, will require any Watering 

 during the dry summer weather. If it should become necessary, 

 however, to give them water, it should be done thoroughly. A 

 mere moistening of the surface of the ground is worse than none 

 at aU. Give enough to penetrate down to where the roots lie 

 and to soak the ground about them thoroughly. And now, if 

 the trees have not been mulched, it should be done immediately, 

 in order to prevent the evaporation of the water that has been 

 given, and the baking and cracking of the earth under the rays 

 of a scorching sun. If no litter can be had with which to 

 mulch, effect the same result by stirring the surface a few hours 

 after the water has been given, and before the sun has baked the 



