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The holes for the reception of shrubs or trees should be prepared 
before hand. The requisite depth and breadth depends on the quantity 
and length of the roots but sufficient space should be allowed to spread 
them at full length and to work easily all round. The soil on the 
bottom of the hole should be well broken up and raised slightly in the 
centre under the base of the plant. Care should be taken that the holes 
are not too deep. More plants fail through deep planting than is 
generally realized. Once the roots are arranged the hole may be filled 
care to work the soil well amongst the roots. 
The soil should be well trodden round the roots to render the 
plant firm. All young trees that are more than three or four feet high 
should be securely staked as soon as planted. The value of staking in 
connection with newly planted trees cannot be over estimated as, when 
properly executed, it prevents the tree from rocking in the wind and 
in taking thereby damaging the roots. 
When a single stake is likely to be required for permanently support- 
ing a tree it is a safe plan to insert it at the time of planting otherwise the 
chances are that the stake is driven in just where the best roots are 
situated and thereby causing them injury. A tie should be made near 
the base and another near the top of the stem. A small piece of thick 
cloth, felt or carpet should be wound round the stem where the ties 
take place to prevent the string from cutting in and injuring the bark. 
As soon as possible after planting all young trees or shrubs should he 
well watered and shaded from the direct rays of the sun. Planting 
should be done in the evening or on dull wet days and never during 
midday or dry hot weather. It will sometimes be necessary to place 
some kind of guard round newly planted trees. 
Fancy iron guards can be purchased but these are expensive and 
not always easily procurable. A very serviceable guard can be made 
very cheaply by driving in three posts round the plant in a triangular 
fashion and nailing them together by a few rows of rails. They should 
be high enough to prevent cattle from damaging the trees. 
Pruning. 
The work of pruning is one of the most important in gardening 
and is essential where trees and shrubs have to be subjected to artificial 
treatment in a limited space as in the majority of small gardens. 
There are several objects in pruning such as the thinning and 
removing of superfluous shoots, dead and decayed branches, the 
removal of central branches to admit air and light and the training 
of plants into proper shape. 
Some authorities recommend the free use of the pruning knife while 
others advocate a moderate system ; but my advice to beginners 
is to be guided by the subject under treatment. 
The rate of growth and many other circumstances will have to be 
considered, always keeping in view the object aimed at, which in most 
casesVill be to keep the shrubs or trees within bounds at the same time 
preserving a symmetrical and well balanced plant. In training young 
trees it is important that a strong centre shoot or “ leader” is main- 
tained and that all weak and misplaced branches are removed with a 
view to preserving a pyramidal shape. 
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