284 YARD AND GARDEN 



to firm the soil thoroughly about the roots so 

 that the new growth will be encouraged from 

 the beginning. While it is possible, of course, 

 to apply too much pressure to the soil about 

 the roots, more often the trouble is due to a 

 lack of pressure. Before the soil is made firm, 

 see that there is sufficient earth underlying the 

 roots to prevent any damage to them owing 

 to the pressure from above. When the roots 

 have been covered with earth and this has 

 been "firmed," water should be applied liber- 

 ally. After this the remaining dirt should be 

 thrown in loosely and not tamped at all. Ap- 

 plied in this manner, it serves as a mulch and 

 is far better than when the soil is rendered 

 hard and compact from the surface down, 



CULTIVATION 



The planting does not represent the end of 

 the work by any means. Trees require plant 

 food and unless the soil is naturally very rich 

 this food must be supplied from time to time. 

 When the tree is planted on the lawn and lib- 

 eral dressings of manure are supplied for the 

 grass in the fall or spring, this usually will suf- 

 fice for the trees. But trees are always grate- 

 ful for plant food in any form, such as ground 



