CHAPTER II. 



From Nursery to Permanent Location. 



THE life, shape and usefulness of a tree depend upon the 

 place and method of its early growth, the care it receives in 

 transplanting, the pruning, and the character of the soil in 

 which it grows. Always buy nursery-grown trees, or raise 

 them yourself in nursery rows. This insures tough bark, straight, 

 clean trunk, a tree that is hardy and used to exposure, and above all, 

 one which transplants well. Trees grown in the forest or thicket are 

 long and spindling, unused to the sun and wind, and very difficult to 

 transplant to the open ground. Where pines and some other trees 

 are to be set in large numbers to start a forest, they may be trans- 

 planted when very small from a clearing or field where many trees 

 have started up. The important item of first cost is often reduced in 

 this manner. Nearly all trees are better to be transplanted every 

 two or three years in the nursery row before being set in their per- 

 m inent position. When possible, it is best to set young trees ; they 

 are easier to transplant than large ones, cost less, become established 

 sooner and make a more rapid growth. Young trees, however, are not 

 so easily seen in tall grass, and may often be cut off with the scythe or 

 mowing machine. Therefore, it is necessary to give them good pro- 

 tection until they become large enough to take care of themselves. 

 For this purpose two or three good strong stakes may be driven in 

 about each tree and fastened together with a cord or wire at the top. 

 A box, made of three or four boards nailed at the edges, set up on 

 end around the tree, may also be used, but it has the objection of 

 being a harbor for many kinds of larvae, and unless fastened to a stake 

 may bend or break the tree or rub the bark. If a rope or wire is to 

 be tied directly around the tree, the bark should be protected by 

 wrapping with cloth or rubber. A piece of old rubber hose to pass the 

 rope through will be found useful. For street purposes, trees cannot 



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