THE HANDLING OF THE PLANTS 



127 



the spring, so that no dead or dry tips are left on the plant. 

 Evergreens, as pines and spruces, are not headed-in much, 

 and usually not at all. 



All tender and very small plants should be set in the spring, 

 in which case very early planting is desirable ; and spring 

 planting is always to be advised when the ground is not 

 thoroughly drained and well prepared. 



Depth to transplant. 



In well-compacted land, trees and shrubs should be set at 

 about the same depth as they stood in the nursery, but if the 

 land has been deeply trenched or if it is loose from other causes, 

 the plants should be set deeper, because the earth will probably 

 settle. The hole should be filled with fine surface earth. It is 

 generally not advisable to place manure in the hole, but if it is 

 used, it should be of small amount and very thoroughly mixed 

 with the earth, else it will cause the soil to dry out. In lawns 

 and other places where surface tillage cannot be given, a light 

 mulch of litter or manure may be placed about the plants; 

 but the earth-mulch (page 98), when it can be secured, is much 

 the best conserver of moisture. 



Making the rows straight. 



In order to set trees in rows, it is necessary to use a garden 

 line (Fig. 96), or to mark out the ground with some of the 



139. A planting board. 



