street and Shade Trees. 9 



been dug too deep fill it up to the proper level with good soil. When 

 trees are received from the nursery set them out at once, if the roots 

 are moist and in good condition. If they are dry, either bury them in 

 moist earth for a day or two, or wet them and cover thoroughly with 

 wet hay. With some, such as the Chinese magnolias, it is essential 

 that they be transplanted after growth has begun. If trees are re- 

 ceived in the fall, and are not wanted to set until spring, they may be 

 " heeled-in" by covering the roots and part of the trunk with earth. 

 The roots are laid in a furrow made by the plow or spade, and are 

 covered with earth. The tops are laid down so as to nearly recline 

 upon the ground. If the ground is well drained and well prepared, 

 all hardy trees may be set in the fall, but in other cases, set early in 

 the spring. Trees which are set in the fall should usually have a 

 slight mound of earth thrown about them. 



In pruning before transplanting, the object should be to reestab- 

 lish a proper balance between the root and the trunk and branches. 

 Evergreens should have little or no pruning at this time, but decidu- 

 ous trees will stand a pretty severe cutting, which, howsver, must be 

 done judiciously. Ordinarily, all side branches may be cut back to 

 one or two buds, and the leader, if slender, should be headed back. 

 Even with trees three or four inches in diameter, like maples, this 

 process is desirable ; the dormant buds push out, and a top is started 

 at any desired hight. With trees of a weeping habit and those 

 grafted high on straight, tall-growing stocks, care must be used not to 

 prune so closely as to injure the graft and start the buds on the orig- 

 inal stock. All broken roots should be cut back to fresh wood, and 

 very long, straggling roots may be shortened. Pruning is also neces- 

 sary with some trees after they are well established, to restrict an 

 unshapely growth in any one direction, to improve the appearance 

 by thinning out branches, or by thickening up, or to train in any given 

 direction or manner. Two rules to be always followed are, (i) never 

 prune without a good reason, and (2) cover all large wounds with 

 paint, wax or some other material. As a general rule, it is well to 

 prune in the spring aftergrowth has commenced, and when far enough 

 along so that the desired effect may be produced. Late winter prun- 

 ing is safe, however, and labor is usually cheaper at that time. The 

 terminal bud of many trees may be removed, and if done early enough 



