356 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



[Feb. 



plant entirely in the above compost, let that be done ; if the soil 

 be good; use only a little merely to cover the roots, tluen 

 fill in the common earth, gently pressing it rouna the roots, 

 first with the hand, and, after a great portion has been put in, 

 afterwards with the foot ; but this should be done carefully, so 

 as not to injure the roots by bruising them, nor tearing them 

 from the stem of the tree. While the mould is putting in, 

 gently pull up the tree, and shake it carefully about, if the 

 mould be dry and friable, so that the finer particles may get 

 into the clefts among the roots, leaving no spaces unoccupied 

 with mould about the roots. Before placing the trees in the 

 pits, have, either in a large tub, or by pouring water on the 

 ground and stirring it up to form a thick consistency, a pud- 

 dle, in which to emerge the roots two or three times, or as 

 often as may be deemed necessaiy, until a sufficient quantity 

 of the puddle attaches itself to the roots. For the roots of all 

 trees, excepting peaches and nectarines, this puddle may be 

 made with the liquid drainings of the dunghill, diluted with 

 water ; or in want of that, add a portion of good dung to the 

 mould, of which it is made. When the trees are planted, let 

 them, if wall trees, be headed down according to whatever 

 mode of training it is intended to adopt, and then neatly nailed 

 to the wall. If standards or dwarfs, prune them accordingly, 

 and let them be staked in a neat and careful manner, to prevent 

 the wind from blowing them about ; observing to place a pad 

 of hay, or old mat, between the tree and the stake, where 

 they come in contact, to prevent the bark fi-om being taken off 

 by the friction. When the operation of planting and support- 

 ing is completed, give each a gentle watering, according to the 

 state of the mould in which they are planted, letting them be 

 planted rather wet than otherwise, and cover over the surface, 

 as far as the roots may extend, with littery dung or fresh turf, 

 turning the green side undermost ; this is to remain until it be 

 entirely rotted, and then may be carefully pointed in, but not 

 so deep as to injure the roots. The intention of this covering 

 is not so much for a manure, as a means of preventing the 

 drought from affecting the roots, and to keep the mould damp 

 round their roots as long as possible, or until they have taken 

 fresh root. 



