45 
i*iff '€annei( ^ y^on6’ Autumn ^atahgue. 
have been much improved, and even a little frost would have done no injury to hardy trees so long as 
the roots were not exposed. The moment you receive the trees, or even your own, from wherever 
they have been recently taken up, and especially if they had been kept dry and not able for some time 
to supply sap to the uppermost branches and foliage, throw them into a tank or pond of water, or stand 
them upright in a tub for twelve hours, so that all or as much of the top as possible is immersed, and 
notice how wonderfully it will refresh and make them plump, then plant them at once. A capital plan, 
particularly if the trees are planted late in spring, is to paint or daub them with a mixture of one part 
clay, fresh slaked lime, and a little soot ; this will prevent the action of the sun and drying winds 
playing direct on the tissues of the trees, aud will last for a few weeks ; rain and time will bring it all 
off. If the trees are very large and planted after January, let their stems be bound round with strips 
of sacking, similar to how grooms bind their horses’ legs ; if it is good for them, it is good for the trees, 
until the roots can catch hold of the soil and help themselves to food and moisture. This canvas 
should also be painted over with clay, etc., as mentioned above. In France they do it very skilfully. 
A man is often set to plant who is not accustomed to the use of the spade ; far better to give a 
digging navvy even 5s. per day with the understanding that he is to do just what he is told. 
Planting a tree, particularly all kinds of fruits, is very much like putting in the foundation of a 
house ; if it is not done well, every time you look at either your own or your neighbours’, unpleasant 
thoughts will flash through the mind and annoy you. Directly the plants are ordered dig out holes 
to receive them, and so get the soil aerated. If the situation is low, be sure it is well drained 
