1 THE GARDEN BOOK OF CALIFORNIA 



of its neck, for it doesn't pay to do otherwise; the kitten 

 scratches if not properly handled, and the seedling dies. 

 Then in resetting, whether it be in another set of flats, or in 

 the open ground, use your fingers, or a small dibble, to make 

 the ground firm, and (this is important) press always from 

 below so that the soil will closely envelop the thread-like 

 roots, instead of packing down from above and making a 

 hard crust. It sounds simple, but when it comes to the 

 practice — well, you may have to try a good many times to 

 be perfect. 



Just a few words that may seem trite, yet which if heeded 

 may save one from loss of money, time, and, most important 

 of all, disappointment. First, in buying nursery stock buy 

 of reliable firms ; refuse substitutions, and insist upon healthy 

 and perfect plants. Then be ready for the planting, which 

 means that the conditions of the ground should be right. 

 Too many people put the cart before the horse, and select 

 their trees, for instance, before the place for their reception 

 is ready. 



Where plants or trees come balled from the nursery be 

 very careful about tamping the soil about them, as in this 

 way the new tender roots get nourishment immediately from 

 soil and water, while if this union is not effected, both drain 

 away from the plant, and the life is destroyed. 



Do not plant tin cans or gunny-sacks — the crop is not 

 profitable. Now, somebody says, "How flippant!" but if 

 the truth must be known, I have seen more "Mr. O'Shovel- 

 ems" doing that very thing in various gardens in California 



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