246 The Principles of Fruit-growing. 
they may become a nesting-place for mice, which 
may girdle the trees when there are heavy snows. 
There are those who favor placing a forkful of ma- 
nure in the bottom of the hole, but this is a 
practice of doubtful value; and, at all events, the 
manure should be well mixed with the soil to pre- 
vent drying out. There is often discussion as to 
whether it is desirable to place the mulch on the 
surface or to place it an inch or two below the 
surface and cover it with soil. No dogmatic as- 
sertion can be made for either method, although, 
of the two, the former is probably more generally 
advisable. But it should be remembered that a 
mulch of tilled carth (as explained in Chapter III.) 
is more desirable than one of straw or manure in 
general fruit-planting. 
Puddling the roots is a good practice when trees 
ave to be shipped any distance or when they are 
likely to be unduly exposed, and it is a common 
practice amongst nurserymen. The operation con- 
sists in sousing the roots in a thin mud or paste 
of clay. 
Trimming the trees.*—There is much difference of 
opinion as to the best method of trimming trees 
when they are set. So far as the root is concerned, 
it is advisable, in the north, to eut away only those 
roots which are broken or badly torn. These should 
be cut off just back of the injury. It is the custom 
*Complete discussions of pruning and training, with a full analysis of the 
Stringfellow or stub-root method, may be found in “The Pruning-Book.” 
