Laying Down Trees in Kansas. 103 
thrown over the tops. To facilitate the bending-down 
of the tree, the earth was removed on the opposite 
sides of the trunk, preferably north: and south, and 
on these sides the larger roots were cut off near the 
base, those on the right and left being allowed to re- 
main as far as possible undisturbed, to keep the tree 
in unbroken connection with the soil. Now, as the 
tree-trunk was inclined toward the earth, the lateral 
roots, by twisting slightly, offered no resistance to 
the operation. When the tree was sufficiently inclined, 
forked stakes were driven over the branches into the 
earth, to keep all in position. The soil was then 
heaped well over the roots and base of the trunk, to 
a depth sufficient to protect them thoroughly against 
drying out, and finally the entire tree was covered 
with whatever of suitable material was at hand. Not 
having enough of this covering material upon the 
grounds, we bought of a neighboring farmer the poor 
hay in the top and bottom of an old stack at a nom- 
inal cost. This final covering was put in place in 
the last of November. To prevent the scattering of 
the hay by the wind, we soon after found it expedi- 
ent to hold it in place by throwing upon the piles a 
lot of brush, grape prunings, and the trimmings of 
the orchard. 
“Early in the following April (the 2d and 3d), 
when the warm weather began to burst the buds, the 
covering was removed, the trees raised to an upright 
position, properly staked and tied, the blooming 
shoots again shortened-in where necessary, the earth 
replaced firmly about the roots, the ground leveled, 
