315 



The holes for the reception of shrubs or trees should be prepared 

 before hand. The requisite depth and breadth depends on the quantity 

 and length of the roots but sufficient space should be allowed to spread 

 them at full length and to work easily all round. The soil on the 

 bottom of the hole should be well broken up and raised slightly in the 

 centre under the base of the plant. Care should be taken that the holes 

 are not too deep. More plants fail through deep planting than is 

 generally realized. Once the roots are arranged the hole may be filled 

 care to work the soil well amongst the roots. 



The soil should be well trodden round the roots to render the 

 plant firm. All young trees that are more than three or four feet high 

 should be securely staked as soon as planted. The value of staking in 

 connection with newly planted trees cannot be overestimated as, when 

 properly executed, it prevents the tree from rocking in the wind and 

 in taking thereby damaging the roots. 



When a single stake is likely to be required for permanently support- 

 ing a tree it is a safe plan to insert it at the time of planting otherwise the 

 chances are that the stake is driven in just where the best roots are 

 situated and thereby causing them injury. A tie should be made near 

 the base and another near the top of the stem. A small piece of thick 

 cloth, felt or carpet should be wound round the stem where the ties 

 take place to prevent the string from cutting in and injuring the bark. 

 As soon as possible after planting all young trees or shrubs should be 

 well watered and shaded from the direct rays of the sun. Planting 

 should be done in the evening or on dull wet days and never during 

 midday or dry hot weather. It will sometimes be necessary to place 

 some kind of guard round newly planted trees. 



Fancy iron guards can be purchased but these are expensive and 

 not always easily procurable. A very serviceable guard can be made 

 very cheaply by driving in three posts round the plant in a triangular 

 fashion and nailing them together by a few rows of rails. They should 

 be high enough to prevent cattle from damaging the trees. 



Pruning. 



The work of pruning is one of the most important in gardening 

 and is essential where trees and shrubs have to be subjected to artificial 

 treatment in a limited space as in the majority of small gardens. 



There are several objects in pruning such as the thinning and 

 removing of superfluous shoots, dead and decayed branches, the 

 removal of central branches to admit air and light and the training 

 of plants into proper shape. 



Some authorities recommend the free use of the pruning knife while 

 others advocate a moderate system ; but my advice to beginners 

 is to be guided by the subject under treatment. 



The rate of growth and many other circumstances will have to be 

 considered, always keeping in view the object aimed at, which in most 

 cases"will be to keep the shrubs or trees within bounds at the same time 

 preserving a symmetrical and w T ell balanced plant. In training young 

 trees it is important that a strong centre shoot or " leader" is main- 

 tained and that all weak and misplaced branches are removed with a 

 view 7 to preserving a pyramidal shape. 



