WESTBURY STATION, N.Y, 87 Proper Planting 
Tlanting a Tree 
HOLES. — Dig wide, deep holes. If the subsoil is poor, dig 2% feet deep, and fill the bottom with 
a foot of good soil mixed with one-fourth rotted manure. 
TRIMMING.— Trim as shown in the picture, cutting back half of last year's growth on the ends 
of the main branches. Cut out most of the inside twigs. Leave some buds on every branch. Cut 
close to a bud or side branch. 
Trim Shrubs by removing the old or 
largest shoots. Do not trim to a round 
form. 
ROOTS.— Avoid breaking by rough 
handling. Cut smooth the broken roots, 
as at A, and spread roots in natural posi- 
tion the same depth as before. Pack the 
soil firmly under and between the roots, 
leaving no air spaces. Soak the ground 
thoroughly. 
MULCH.— Cover ground with a mulch 
of strawy manure, leaves or salt hay, or 
keep a dry, fine earth-mulch by hoeing 
4 inches deep and wider than the- roots 
extend, once in two weeks, all summer, 
especially a day after heavy rains or 
watering. The next spring dig in the 
mulch, add fertilizer and more mulch. 
FERTILIZERS. — Manure is not a 
complete plant-food. Apply on top or 
mix in the soil, but not against the roots, 
one quart of fertilizer, which should con- 
tain 5 to 10 per cent of potash. Wood- 
ashes and bone-flour are excellent. Avoid 
too much manure, as it may rot the roots. 
WATER. — Water once a week, or once 
in two weeks, from May to August, by 
soaking the ground thoroughly with half a 
barrel of water, unless there are heavy 
and frequent rains. Over-watering and 
too frequent watering often kills trees. 
Keep down weeds. A few weeds 
will take up more food and water than 
the tree. 
HEELING-IN. —To heel-in, or temporarily plant trees on arrival, dig a trench large enough to 
contain all the roots and place the trees in it in a slanting position, spread out the roots, pack earth 
around, and water. Covering the ground with a mulch of leaves or litter will be found to be very 
beneficial to them. 
STAKES.— Stakes or guys are needed only with tall or large trees, or those with poor roots. A 
tree of the size shown, with good roots, needs no stake or wire. For larger trees, rig three or four 
double wire guys, and twist tight, as shown, . For smaller or slender trees use a 3 x 3-inch stake, 
running it up into the top if necessary, and fasten closely to the tree by cord and hose or burlap 
bands. To protect from horses on the street, place galvanized wire cloth (i-inch mesh) around the 
tree and nail it to the stake. 
EVERGREENS . — Evergreen tree roots must not be allowed to dry out in the least. If possible, 
select a foggy time for moving them, and in doubtful cases, set a barrel of water near and sprinkle 
the tops several times a day for a week or two. When carting trees, use blankets or sail-cloth to 
cover the roots. 
If these directions are intelligently followed, and trees do not live and grow, please^ write us 
Planting Linden Tree. 
