CARE IN PLANTING 



77 



should be done at the first possible moment after the rush 

 of selling is over, or whenever it is evident that the stock 

 is leafing out. Neglect to plant at this time will often 

 cause a heavy loss, especially of the more tender sorts. 

 Of course, in the case of small stock for planting out, the 

 work should be done as soon as the shipment arrives. 



If the ground has been thoroughly prepared for plant- 

 ing, there will be no need to fertilize the rows. To save 

 needless labor, the men digging the trench should know 

 what is to go into it that they may make the trench of the 

 right depth and width, for most kinds of shrubs have entirely 

 different root systems. After the trench has been pre- 

 pared, lay the plants in the trench the proper distance 

 apart. There should be at least two men to do this work, 

 one to hold the shrub straight in the row and the other 

 to shovel in enough soil to make the plant stand erect. 

 Each shrub should next be shaken a bit to get the soil 

 around the roots, and then the ground should be packed 

 firmly with the feet. After this the remainder of the soil 

 should be thrown loosely in about the plant. 



THE IMPORTANCE OF PRUNING 



The most essential act in planting is that of pruning, for 

 it is the method of pruning which determines the future 

 quality of the plant. In the case of most nursery stock 

 purchased from large nurseries, the stock has been trained 

 in the way it should go, but it can be greatly assisted at 

 each transplanting by a little thoughtful pruning. It is 

 my opinion that the best rule for pruning is the exercise 

 of common sense. In planting out for growing on, most 

 shrubbery could be headed in severely and thus caused 

 to grow much more stocky. This also applies to orna- 

 mental trees. If you buy, as most dealers do, the two- 

 year-old fruit trees for your retail trade, you will want to 



