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. Virgin 

 prairie soil should be allowed to lie one year after fall plowing in order 

 that the dense sod may become thoroughly rotted. Subsequent treat- 

 ment of such land is the same as that already described. In the East, 

 and on nonarable ground, preliminary preparation of the soil by plow- 

 ing and harrowing maj T 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 

 firmlj* 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 : 



James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



Washington, D. C, November 13, 1907. 



O 



