CULTURAL 5 
but be well broken up with the fork or spade, and be 
left in the bottom of the trench. These things do not 
require a rich soil, but if the soil is poor a moderate 
dressing of well-rotted manure or decayed vegetable 
refuse should be dug in during the preparatory process. 
Leaf mould may also be used for the same purpose, but 
that material is seldom available in sufficient quantities 
to admit of it being used as a dressing for shrubbery or 
other borders. When planted singly or on the lawn, 
the stations should be of a sufficient diameter to allow 
of the roots being spread out horizontally, and the soil 
be broken up as in the case of beds and borders, and 
with or without manurial matter added to it, as may be 
considered desirable. 
The autumn is the best season for planting and pur- 
chasing deciduous shrubs and trees, and those who begin 
early will have the best prospect of obtaining satisfactory 
results. “To be more exact, the four weeks commencing 
with the middle of October is the most suitable period. 
In the mild autumnal days, when the soil is warm and 
the showers are frequent, newly planted shrubs and trees 
proceed to make new roots in their fresh quarters 
with great rapidity, and in the following spring grow 
so vigorously as to afford no indication of having lately 
had their roots disturbed. With every day’s delay there 
is an increase in the check which they must inevitably 
suffer by removal. By early planting the damage done 
to the roots is slight and the recovery rapid. The longer 
the planting is deferred the more serious is the injury 
and the recovery is slow, and in the case of those trans- 
planted in spring, when the sap is becoming active, as 
indicated by the swelling buds, there is a risk of the 
injury being so great as to result in death. August and 
September are the two best months for transplanting ever- 
greens, but the work may be done in October with a 
good prospect of success. 
