218 



THE planter's GUIDE. 



now attempted to be described, the workmen, three and 

 three together, in divisions or parties, proceed round the 

 tree, treating one parcel of roots after another in the same 

 style in succession, and as soon as they meet, the work of 

 distribution is completed. 



At this stage of the process, it cannot have escaped the 

 discerning reader that, contrary to the general practice, no 

 decalcation or consoHdating of the earth has as yet been 

 directed, except in the execution of the retaining bank 

 round the nucleus of the root ; and yet the entire ordering 

 of the roots and fibres is supposed to be finished. But 

 I have found, by long experience, that an anxiety for 

 immediate consolidation, which most planters possess, is 

 not favourable to the fibrous roots of woody plants, small 

 or great. That equability of pressure of the soil, which 

 gradual subsidence alone can give, is not to be attained 

 by any artificial means yet known, and least of all by 

 treading and pounding by the feet of workmen. It is 

 one thing to fill in mould firmly round the nucleus, and to 

 compact it with the rammer, as above mentioned, where 

 there is free room to operate ; and another to tread down 

 with the feet layer after layer of the tenderest fibres, and 

 finest capillary rootlets, as recommended by Marshall and 

 other — a mode of treatment which cannot fail, after the 

 critical period of removal, to be extremely prejudicial to 

 what must be considered as the true absorbents of the 

 plant. As to the final consolidation of the surface, it 

 shall be treated of in the sequel. 



After the covering of the roots, the only thing that 

 remains to be performed is, to fill in the rest of the earth 

 into the pit, so that at the stem it shall be from twelve to 

 fourteen inches deep. If it be winter time, that is, be- 

 tween November and February, (in this climate including 

 the latter month,) a slight treading over the whole by the 



