74 TRANSPLANTING. 



is quickly made by pouring into a hole a pail of water, and 

 mixing it with the soil. 



Setting the tree. It should not be set deeper than it stood 

 before removal. Deep planting injures the tree, and when 

 excessive, may cause its death. Setting it upon the surface 

 of the ground without any hole, and placing a bed of fine 

 earth upon the roots to the usual depth, is preferable, and on 

 shallow or unprepared soils, or such as are quite clayey and 

 rather wet, has been quite successful. When placed in the 

 unfilled hole, if it is found to be too deeply sunk, a mound 

 or hillock is to be made under the centre, to raise it suffi- 

 ciently, and the roots separated and extended to their full 

 length. Fine rich mould is then to be sprinkled or sifted 

 over, taking care to fill all the interstices, and using the 

 fingers to spread out all the fibres during the operation. The 

 mellow earth should rise two or three inches above the 

 surrounding surface, to allow for its subsequent settling. # 



In nearly all soils, the use of water in settling the earth among 

 the roots will be found eminently serviceable. Dashing in 

 a few quarts before the hole is quite filled, is the more com- 

 mon way ; but an admirable mode is to settle the fine earth 

 as it is constantly sifted in, by a regular shower from a 

 watering pot, one man holding the tree, a second filling in 

 the earth, and the third applying the water. By this pro- 

 cess the roots are not disturbed in their position, and every 

 cavity about them is filled in the most perfect manner. The 

 trees will be found to maintain their position better than 

 wber pulverised earth alone is used; for although it may 

 at first be easily moved while surrounded by the half liquid 

 mass ; in a few hours the earth around it will 

 absorb the superabundant moisture, and it will 

 become as firm as when it has stood for weeks 

 in its new position. 



Stiffening against the wind. — Newly planted 

 trees, being acted on as levers by the wind, 

 often press aside the earth about their stems, 

 and make an opening down to the roots, which 

 in consequence suffer from both drouth and 

 disturbance. There are two ways to prevent 

 -this disaster. In autumn transplanting, the 

 l'ig. ju. best way is to embank a mound of earth about 



1 *SeeAppendU,page4ll. 



