(24) 



the surface, taking care that the rootlets are well spread 

 out and put in their natural position, then fill up with 

 water, and while it is settling, work the tree up and 

 down, so that every crevice will be filled 'with earth, 

 in a semi-liquid state; in this way, every root will 

 come in immediate contact with the soil. This is one 

 of the most important things to be observed in setting 

 a tree. Then fill the hole to a level with the surround- 

 ing earth and mulch with old straw, rotted leaves, or 

 (what is equally good) four or five inches of sand, this 

 will retain the moisture till the roots grow and acquire 

 strength to support themselves. One or two quarts of 

 oats, or one-half peck of potatoes put in the bottom of 

 the hole before the tree is set, will assist in retaining 

 moisture about the roots. 



The bodies of trees need no sunlight. They are 

 better without it. In their native state they are usu- 

 ally protected by their own branches, and by other 

 trees when young, and as they grow older their own 

 tops shade .them. The bodies of many young trees 

 are killed by the sun, chiefly in July and August, on 

 the southwest side. To obviate this it is a good plan 

 to nail two narrow boards together so as to make a 

 quarter box, sharpen the lower end and drive it in the 

 ground, having it high enough to reach the lower 

 limbs, placing one wing of this box on the south side 

 and the other on the west side of the tree. This is all 

 the protection from the sun they need, and will save 

 many trees which, without this protection, would be 

 killed by the sun, or so seriously injured they will 

 eventually break down. 



For the first few years it is better to spade around 

 them every spring, and mulch them. In the fall, when 

 the leaves drop, leave them under and around the 

 trees, they give protection to the roots and nutriment 



