- 
root that is left. Seedlings with a bunch of short, fibrous roots need 
no cutting. | 
Following the transplanting of seedlings the nursery rows should | 
be kept clear of weeds and the soil stirred frequently with hoe or | 
cultivator. It is especially necessary that the nursery be gone over | 
after a rain as soon as the surface soil is dried out sufficiently to work 
well. This will prevent the deeper moisture from drying out about 
the roots of the trees. In case no rain falls within two weeks after 
the plants have been set in the nursery, water should be applied to 
the rows. In dry regions frequent shallow cultivation to maintain 
a dust mulch should be given. | 
TRANSPLANTING FROM NURSERY TO FIELD. 
On the plains and prairies, the land, provided it has not been in a | 
cultivated crop the preceding season, should be plowed deeply in the | 
fall previous to planting and left rough over winter. In the spring 
it should be worked to a mellow condition and marked for planting | 
in check rows or listed if the trees are to be planted in furrows. Vir- 
gin prairie soil should be allowed to he one year after fall plowing 
in order that the dense sod may become thoroughly rotted. Subse- | 
quent treatment of such land is the same as that already described. 
In the East, and on non-arable ground, preliminary preparation of 
the soil by plowing and harrowing may be dispensed with. 
In transplanting seedlings from the nursery to the permanent place 
in the field, the same care should be taken to prevent the exposure of 
their roots to the air as when transplanting them to the nursery rows. | 
The best plan is to carry the trees, roots downward, in a pail contain- | 
ing several inches of water. 
On land prepared by plowing and harrowing the seedlings may be} 
set in furrows plowed for this purpose or in the rows previously | 
marked with a lister for guidance of the planters. In the latter case| 
a spade may be used for opening the hole. On unprepared sites the 
seedlings are set in holes dug with a grub hoe or mattock. The width 
and depth of the hole depends on the character and size of the plant’s 
root system. In all tree planting it is of the greatest importance to 
press the earth firmly about the roots so that all air spaces are filled. 
The soil should not, however, be packed so hard as to be impervious} 
to water nor should the earth be raised in a mound about the stem. 
In dry regions it is always desirable to leave a slight depression | 
around the collar of the plant in order to collect any moisture that 
may fall. 
Approved: 
JameEs WILSON, 
Secretary. 
Wasuineton, D. C., November 24, 1906. 
[Cir. 61] 
O 
