PLANTING. 17 



ously to applications of manure than the mulberry. In Japan it has 

 recently been shown that by liming alone the percentage of fiber in 

 the leaves decreased very perceptibly. Again, by liming and also 

 manuring with sodium nitrate and calcium sulphate a still further 

 reduction in the fiber was apparent. The trees operated on were 1J 

 meters. (5 feet) high. Each tree was treated with 500 grams (1.1 

 pounds) of lime, 400 grams (0.9 pound) of sodium nitrate, and 200 

 grams (0.44 pound) of calcium sulphate. How the caterpillars 

 fared as a result of this change in the composition of the leaves is not 

 stated. 



PLANTING. 



The all-important operation of planting may be performed in 

 either the fall or spring. When done in the autumn it should be at- 

 tended to immediately after the leaves have fallen. In spring the 

 trees may be transplanted at any time after the ground is in a work- 

 able condition and up to the period when the buds are about to burst 

 into growth. Spaces intended to be planted should be deeply worked 

 beforehand by plowing and harrowing, and after planting the weeds 

 should be kept down. 



The distance between the trees should not be less than 10 feet in 

 the rows, and the rows should be the same distance apart. If the 

 field devoted to the trees is more than 2 or 3 acres in extent, wider 

 spaces should be left at intervals for wagons, etc. It is certain that 

 trees planted 10 feet apart will eventually occupy all the space, but 

 when there is danger of their becoming too much crowded, enough 

 of the plants may. be rooted out and burned to allow the remainder 

 abundant space to develop. If this is done, those which are to re- 

 main permanently should be trained accordingly. The above arrange- 

 ment is the best for trees, nearly all the branches of which can be 

 reached from the ground, not only for pruning, but also for leaf 

 gathering. 



In planting trees similar precautions should be taken to those em- 

 ployed in the case of ordinary forest trees; that is, not to allow the 

 roots to become in the least dry from the time they are lifted from the 

 nursery rows until planted in the field. As soon as they are lifted 

 the roots should be dipped in a mixture of soil and water and kept 

 covered until planted, so that they will not become dry. If the 

 ground is naturally hard and the soil is poor, dig large holes, even 

 for very young trees, as they grow rapidly and should be encouraged 

 to make good stout groAvths from the beginning. Put some good soil 

 in the hole, spread out the roots on this, and cover with several inches 

 of fine soil before firming with the feet. Allow the roots to be about 

 the same depth in the hole as they were in the nursery rows. Prune 



119 



