THE FIG. 189 



balls of roots out of their pots, and inserting them entire 

 into the border, ramming the soil firmly about them. 

 Such a mode of planting any tree is highly objection- 

 able, and in the case of figs there will be strong roots 

 coiled at the very bottom of the balls, which will strike 

 deeply down into the border, leaving the surface parts 

 of it unoccupied with roots for a long time, and con- 

 sequently less under the control of the cultivator. 

 Moreover, by planting this way there are sure to be 

 some gross roots that will be the means of producing 

 gross shoots in certain parts of the tree. 



The best way is to entirely shake the soil from the 

 roots, carefully disentangle them, and cut closely back 

 all the thickest of them, leaving those only which are 

 more fibry and close to the stem ; and in the operation 

 of planting, to spread these regularly out in the border, 

 covering them with not more than 3 or 4 inches of soil. 

 Before planting, presuming that the border is made of 

 such porous material as has been recommended, and 

 not wet, it should be trodden firmly down before the 

 trees are planted. This prevents it from holding so 

 much water in suspension as when in a more loose and 

 spongy condition, and, as a consequence, assists in 

 checking a too vigorous growth. When the trees are 

 all planted, at from 10 to 12 feet apart, the surface of 

 the border should be slightly higher than it is ultimately 

 intended to be, as it will in course of time subside a 

 little. Settle the soil about the roots with water applied 

 through a rose. Tie the trees loosely, for the present, in 

 their places, training the main stem straight up the roof 

 of the house, the laterals horizontally to the wires, and 

 they are ready for a start. 



Of course, in planting a house in this way there will 



