PLANTING A TREE 



Now, what does it mean to plant a tree? It is an interesting 

 bit of work, and an account of the process may be instructive. 

 Well, this is how we do it. First, of course, we dig the pit. Di- 

 mensions, 4' long, 4' wide, 3%' deep — ordinarily. Varying condi- 

 tions vary the dimensions, but the mean is as given. The soil 

 removed (practically three tons) is enriched with fertilizer and 

 manure, and enough topsoil similarly enriched is added to fill the 

 pit. Any "poor" or gravelly dirt left is carted to the dump. When 



Showing two Maple trees planted on one of the streets of The Bronx. Note 

 the fine heads on these trees and the shade they give to this porch 



all is ready for actual planting, a young tree, carefully selected, is 

 pruned both top and roots, so that these will "balance" and that no 

 broken or bruised members may remain. A small pit is then 

 scooped out large enough to take in the outspread roots and the 

 tree is set in place. It is planted to the same depth it had in the 

 nursery. The soil is very carefully packed about the roots, to 

 avoid air spaces, which latter would cause the drying up of the 

 roots, and consequently their death. Fine pulverized earth is used 

 in the packing, and this supplies to the roots plenty of available 

 food, as well as congenial surroundings. The said surroundings 

 have to be "congenial," for if a chunk, say, of manure or fertilizer 

 should get in touch with the roots, it would create such a condition 

 of heat and excess of available plant food as might be fatal to that 



