THE MECHANICAL SIDE OF PLANTING 
Excepting, where specifically noted to the contrary, the plants mentioned 
in this book will succeed in ordinary garden soil. However, up to certain limits 
the better the plants are fed, the better will they succeed. For fertilizer we 
recommend the use of horse, cow, or combined stable manure. This should either 
be placed below, and out o1 immediate reach of the roots, or on top of the soil 
after planting. The manure should not come in contact with the roots, and in 
no case should it be green or fresh— it must be well-rotted and cold. Otherwise 
your planting will be a failure. 
The soil should be well pulverized so as to thoroughly fill the spaces between 
the roots. Pulverization may be accomplished by spading the soil and breakin- 
up all lumps. " 
Make sure that the soil does not have surface water standing upon it at any 
time of the year. AVet soil can be drained by means of ditches and tiles 
Where this is impractical, raise the ground above the water level bv fillinc in 
with additional loam. 
Except in extreme cases, it is unnecessary to remove the present soil and 
bring in new. This is laborious and expensive and should be avoided where 
possible. In extreme cases, where the soil is so gravelly that it will not hold 
moisture, or where it has been poisoned by chemicals or by illuminating gaa 
this pi-oeess is, of course, necessary. Remove the soil to a depth of eighteen or 
twenty-four inches. Put at the bottom a layer of rotting leaves, leaf mould, or 
stable manure. Mix in some loam and tramp down hard so as to prevent air 
spaces. The resulting laying will help keep moisture in the ground. Then fill 
in the rest of the bed or hole with a good grade of loam. 
Plant food can only be absorbed by plant roots when dissolved in water— if 
water is lacking, the presence of an abundance of fertilizer is no help. There 
can be no set rule for frequency of watering excepting to examine the soil a few 
inches from the surface. Water often enough so that the soil is always moist 
and cool— but not so as to keep the soil in a muddy condition, as this will rot 
the roots. Just a little thought and common sense is needed. In watering, do 
not sprinkle ; put the hose on the ground near the base of the plant ; then' let 
the water run till the ground will hold no more. Then move to the next plant 
One such watering in a time of drought is more effective than a dozen or two 
sprinklings. 
Never spray the fops of plants during the heat and glare of the day. Reserve 
that operation for after-supper exoM-cise. The drops of water act as a magnifying 
glass; they concentrate the rays from the sun so effectively as to cause the 
leaves to turn brown and die — commonly known as water-burning. 
Upon receiving your plants from the nursery, make sure that the roots are 
moist. If they appear dry and withered, set them to soak overnight in a tub 
of water— and immediately notify the nursery of that fact. Many sorts will pull 
through by this process of soaking. In such a case a mere sprinkling will da 
no good — soak them. 
Keep .vour plants out of the wind and sun and wet them as often as necessary 
to keep them moist. When you take them out to plant, keep the roots covered 
with wet burlap until the plant is nctunlly set in the hole — then throw in the 
earth without delay. Don't dig the holes much in advance of planting or the 
soil moisture will evaporate. 
