146 SCHOOL AND HOME GARDENS 
Care must be taken that there are no air pockets and 
that the roots are not crowded together. When the hole 
is half full, tread the earth in firmly; then fill in until 
the hole is nearly full, and tread again. On top strew 
at least two inches of fine soil. This must be kept loose 
during the entire summer by working with a rake or 
hoe after rain; it will make a dust mulch to retain 
the moisture. In the fall give the soil a top-dressing 
of leaves, straw, or coarse manure. 
Watering. If the soil is dry when the trees are being 
planted, pour from one to five gallons of water in the 
hole when it is two thirds filled with soil. After this 
water has been absorbed by the soil, continue filling the 
hole. It may also be necessary to water the trees during 
the dry season in July and August. Trees should then 
be given an abundance of water, so that it may reach 
all of the roots. Water may be poured in a four- or five- 
inch draintile that is set in the soil so that the upper 
end is a short distance above the surface. Large trees 
are sometimes watered in this way. The famous Wash- 
ington elm at Cambridge, Massachusetts, has draintiles 
laid among its roots and is supplied with water from the 
city water system during the hot summer days. 
