30 EVERGREENS. 



ones. When It takes a month to send trees BOO miles by freight 

 It Is cheaper to express them. 



As soon as the trees are received dip them again in a puddle of 

 stiff mud. Heel themi in where the sun will not shine on the 

 tops for they will often be sun-scalded when the tops are com- 

 pact. Stamp the earth solidly about them. If you are not 

 watchful you will be surprised at the evaporation through the 

 tops, and the roots will be dry again before you are aware. It 

 is better to plant them out immediately if the conditions are 

 favorable. 



Planting. The finest and best-handled trees in the world 

 can be ruined by being poorly planted. Hardly one man in a 

 hundred knows how to do it. I have had men work for me 

 for years who must be constantly watched. The earth must be 

 packed solidly around the roots or they are sure to die. They 

 must be packed solidly at the bottom. Take a tree eight .to 

 twelve Inches and a man, If he does It right, can set out two to 

 three thousand. If he does It wrong he will work harder and 

 plant perhaps BOO. I had ai good, faithful man work for me for 

 years. I would say "Now, Charlie, watch me." I would In- 

 sert the spade, put In the tree, and then strike one hard blow 

 with the heel pressing the earth solid. One stroke well direct- 

 ed is enough. Then pass on and leave that heel mark to catch 

 the rain. Invariably Charlie would put In the tree, be careful 

 not to press the earth about .the roots, and then he would get 

 up a war dance on top and stamp and stamp, and then say "I've 

 got him this tlmie." Then I would take the tree and It would 

 work up and down like a churn dasher, and if twenty-five per 

 cent of his trees lived they would do well. Rob'ert Douglas 

 often used a tamper, a good solid one, to pack the earth around 

 the roots, especially If the ground was a little dry. 



Time to Plant. In the New England states many men 

 plant in August because at that time the evergreen commences 

 to throw out roots to carry It through the winter and give It 

 strength for the spring's work. People do not understand 

 this. They see the tree make that vigorous push upward of 

 a foot or two In June, and the new growth Is matured In a 

 short time. They think that Is all there is of It and often 

 neglect the tree the rest of the year. But August and Sep- 

 tember are the months when the tree Is doing its most Impor- 

 tant work, laying In strength for the winter and gathering 

 force for that tremendous growth which it makes the last of 

 May and thei first of June. 



While August planting may be done with safety in the 

 moist climate of the East, It will not do in the West. I have 

 tried It repeatedly, but the loss Is too great. 



The best time to plant an evergreen in the West is just 

 before the buds begin to swell. If you plant too early, the dry 



