295 
9. Attend to the watering, should it be necessary, at the proper time. Young trees 
should have a good sousing at the time of planting, and the settlement of the soil 
which results should be partly made up by the addition of a little good soil. It is 
best not to make the level of the soil around the newly planted tree equal to that 
of the surrounding land, but to leave a little depression, so that moisture may find 
its way to the roots of the young tree. Bearing in mind that a young tree is a baby 
tree, it naturally requires a little extra care during its early days. Amongst other 
requirements it is necessary to see that its roots are kept moist, particularly during 
a period of westerly winds. When the tree is watered, a good soaking is necessary, 
for the application of a little drop of water does more harm than good. 
Plants breathe by means of their leaves, which have quite a large number of 
breathing holes. These holes get clogged up by the fine dust common in cities, although 
most leaves possess contrivances to minimise the danger from choking. This dust 
should be washed off as frequently as possible, and nothing is better than water, sprayed 
as finely as possible. No tree can live a vigorous life if choked with dust, and trees in 
the forest are not subjected to this drawback. 
One of the special disabilities under which trees in towns suffer is caused by 
the fact that the soil around the stem is often trampled hard, or is covered with 
asphalt or other impervious paving material. How is it possible for the rain to get 
to the tree and help it to live its life? Broad tree-guards protect the tree in this respect, 
but the most usual method is to have iron gratings. Usually, however, the gratings 
are too small ; they should be not less than 5 by 4 feet. The pattern of the grating is 
of very great importance. The holes to admit the rain should be as large as possible, 
and the lines of the casting should be as narrow as possible at the surface of the pave- 
ment. In other words, every drop of rain which falls on the grating should, percolate 
through. Different patterns of gratings are made, but I hope that public bodies will 
keep the main idea in view, and reject any grating which intercepts much of the rain. fj 
10. Attend to pruning, if necessary. I have already incidentally referred to 
root-pruning necessary in consequence of injuries in transit. Roots are sometimes 
pruned because the trees are pot-bound, arid for other reasons, but unless the tree is a 
very valuable one. I would put a tree which requires much root-pruning on to a good 
hot fire. 
Some people think tint only roses and fruit trees require pruning, but street 
and park trees sometimes require this, and the operation should always be entrusted 
to a first-class man. Sometimes a branch becomes too heavy, and hence in the interests 
of safety it requires treatment. Then in windy localities trees may get too much of a 
top, and so they are carefully thinned, so that when that unexpected gale comes aloiig 
it will simply blow through the branches, and not fell the tree or blow its head off. Then 
trees require pruning for the removal of puny or diseased branches or to induce 
symmetry of growth. Sometimes trees are pruned to secure a more compact growth 
in lieu of spindliness. If a tree be healthy to begin with, and it be planted in good soil, 
with sufficient moisture and shelter, it can live its life vigorously and heelthily. A 
