SPECIAL TOPICS 



LT^ o Lr> wrt sjT) w-i cr^ o wr> o cr> w 



How to Plant and Care for Nursery Stock 



What To Do with the Plants When 

 They Arrive 



OUR stock will be found so thoroughly 

 packed that if it is not convenient to 

 plant it immediately upon arrival it 

 may remain for a few days in the boxes or 

 bales that it has been shipped in. Arrange, 

 however, to have packages kept moist and 

 away from drying winds, hot suns or 

 freezing temperature. 



If impossible to arrange for planting with- 

 in three or four days from arrival, unpack 

 the stock and "heel" or trench it in some 

 place, out of harm's way, until such time as 

 you shall be ready to plant all or part of it. 



When possible, however, it is best to plant 

 nursery stock in its permanent position 

 promptly after arrival. 



Preparation of the Soil 



IT is best to select trees and shrubbery 

 that are known to endure naturally the 

 conditions of soil and drainage that one 

 has to offer them, rather than attempt any 

 expensive preparation for plants not fitted 

 by Nature to such conditions. 



Generally speaking, trees and shrubbery 

 will thrive in any soil that will grow good 

 vegetables. 



Fertilizer, in the form of compost or 

 manure, is beneficial, though often not ab- 

 solutely essential. 



Recently-graded areas are apt to be void 

 of fertile humus-bearing "top-soil," and 

 unless such soil is provided, trees and shrub- 

 bery cannot be expected to make a vigorous, 

 healthy growth in it. 



Rhododendrons and most other broad- 

 leaved Evergreens require good drainage 

 and the moisture that shaded positions or 

 a mulch of leaves or grass clippings afford 

 them. Their sustenance is derived from 

 decayed vegetable matter, such as woods- 

 earth or peat; and it is helpful to provide 

 such soil, if none is at hand in which to 

 plant them. 



Evergreen with ball of earth. 

 In planting, be careful 

 to preserve this. 



On Planting Evergreens 



OUR Evergreens will usually be re- 

 ceived with balls of earth wrapped in 

 burlap about their roots. If these 

 balls of earth are dry when received it is well 

 to moisten them before 

 unwrapping, so that the 

 dirt will better adhere 

 to the roots. 



With large Ever- 

 greens, or with smaller 

 ones, if the "ball" will 

 break when unwrapping 

 place the tree in posi- 

 tion before loosening 

 the burlap. If the dirt 

 still will not adhere to 

 the roots, shred the 

 bagging w^ith a sharp 

 knife, cut the string 

 that holds it and leave 

 them to be rotted by the moisture in the 

 soil placed about it. 



With Evergreens, first preserve the *'ball,'' 

 then proceed to plant in the same manner 

 as indicated on diagram, elsewhere shown 

 in this book. 



About Trimming Evergreens 



JUST as the Spring growth is commenc- 

 ing is the time to trim Evergreens. 

 This usually is in May. All of the 

 varieties endure pruning, and must be so 

 pruned, if used in hedges, otherwise they 

 will not necessarily require it, excepting the 

 Retinosporas, whose colors are brightened 

 and dense, compact forms preserved by 

 light shearings annually. 



The amount of trimming required depends 

 upon the motive in the trimming. If a 

 formal specimen is desired, it of course 

 should be trimmed to one's taste. If the 

 trimming is done to preserve the shape of 

 the tree and to increase its density of foli- 

 age, about one-half of the previous season's 

 growth should be clipped oft*. 



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