SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 
61 
DIRECTIONS FOR PLANTING 
When trees are received from the Nursery, unpack and heel them 
in at once, in a wide trench of mellow soil, in a slanting or upright position, 
and cover the roots with earth. 
Dig large holes, wide and deep enough to receive the roots without 
bending. 
Raise a little mound in the center of the hole; place the tree upon 
it and spread the roots in their natural position. Good surface soil is then 
to be shaken upon all the roots. 
After the roots have been covered with soil, from a peck to a wheel- 
barrow full of rich compost manure should be spread over them. Com- 
plete the filling with surface soil. The whole should be very firmly pressed 
down with the foot, to exclude the air from the roots. The top filling should 
not be trodden, but left loose. Plant a tree firmly, as it ought to be, and 
one cannot pull it up. 
Trimming the trees before planting. Trees are usually planted 
precisely as they come from the Nursery. Since the roots are more or less 
injured in digging, the tops should also be reduced correspondingly. It is 
important to give the roots the preponderance. A short rule by Dr. Fisher 
is, "cut off two-thirds of the top." This would be sound advice for Apple, 
Peach, Pear, Plum and Quince trees. Cherry trees do better if not shortened 
so much. Cut out every branch that can be spared. Then cut back the 
ends of last season's growth leaving only 3 to 6 buds. All of this pruning 
should be done before the buds swell in the spring. 
tW We sometimes prune one or more trees in each order, as samples. 
Time of transplanting. With few exceptions April and May, also 
October and November. When set out in the fall a mound of earth a foot 
or more in height should be put against the tree, and over that coarse 
manure or leaves, to prevent frequent freezing and thawing. This little 
cone of earth should be removed in the spring. 
HINTS AND HELPS AFTER PLANTING 
Good, mellow cultivation, with some hoed crops, is very important. 
Shelter from drying winds and westerly suns all rare and costly plants. 
Shade the bodies of trees with paper, straw or other devices. 
Cover the ground with leaves, straw or other coarse material. 
Water is seldom needed. If the season is very dry generous applica- 
tions of rain water may be applied. 
Never remove the leaves from a tree or vine. The first season allow 
everything to grow and thus strengthen the roots. 
Early in autumn, place around each tree a hill of coarse or fine manure. 
To repel mice : stand laths or wire netting around the tree and tie the tops. 
The art of transplanting will never be so perfect that some trees will 
not die; but when our directions are carefully followed the percentage of 
loss will be very small. 
