HANDLING TREES AND OTHER PLANTS 
Nursery trees and plants are grown in two different ways: in the open ground or in pots, tubs, and boxes. 
Those grown in pots or tubs are easily handled; if grown in the open ground, they are taken up, either bare-rooted 
or with earth about the roots. When dug with earth about their roots, they are called Balled and Burlapped. 
Pot-Grown Plants 
Many different kinds of plants are grown in pots, tubs, or 
boxes. They may be shipped and transplanted at any time of 
year and immediate planting effects secured. Usually the pot 
or tub is removed before shipment, and the earth about the roots 
is wrapped in paper or burlap. 
Bare-Rooted Plants 
Plants taken from the open ground with bare roots are usually 
handled only during the dormant winter season—from November 
to April. All deciduous trees, as peach, pear, plum, mulberry, 
dogwood, red-bud, sweet gum, and many more, are examples. 
Orchards or groves are always planted with bare-rooted trees. 
Balled and Burlapped Plants 
If the roots of shrubs or trees are very numerous, fine, and 
fibrous, they hold earth well. They can be dug with the roots in 
place in the original soil. Burlap is then tied around the ball of 
earth, or tightly sewn, and the plant should be carefully handled 
by the ball, rather than the top, so as not to loosen the earth 
around the roots. The burlap should not be removed when the 
plant is set out. 
Planting and General Care 
The land on which trees are to be set should be thoroughly 
prepared before planting. Too frequently this important matter 
is neglected or poorly done, but it pays to give particular atten¬ 
tion to this part of the work. It is easier to put the land in good 
condition before planting than after, and, if the trees are to 
bring the results desired, it must be done at some time. 
After the land has been well plowed, harrowed and leveled, 
a 3- to 4-foot stake should be set where each tree is to stand. 
The distance apart at which the trees should be set depends on 
the character of the soil, the moisture it contains, the kind of 
trees, and the ideas of the planter. Usually they should be given 
a goodly distance. A table of the usual planting distances is 
given on the inside back cover. 
When the trees arrive, if everything is in readiness, they may 
be taken directly to the field and set out, taking the trees from 
the boxes as needed. If the number is large, or there is a delay 
of more than a few days, it is best to heel-in the trees. From this 
heeling-in place, they may be taken for planting, and carefully 
protected from the sun and wind with damp burlap until placed 
in the holes. Plants or trees should never be allowed to dry out 
between the time they are taken from the nursery and the time 
of planting. 
It is best to dig the holes just in advance of planting, to prevent 
drying or baking, also loss of moisture. The holes should be 
made considerably larger than necessary to accommodate the 
roots or balls of earth. Set the trees the exact depth they stood 
in the nursery rows. This can be determined by the “earth 
collar” marks. If a balled plant, the top of the ball should be 
at ground-level. It is usually better to set too high than too 
deep. If bare-rooted, spread out the roots by hand and pack the 
earth well around them. When the hole is three-quarters full, 
pack well with the feet. This is important, as more trees are lost 
from loose packing than any other cause. 
After packing thoroughly, and before the hole is filled up, 
pour in water, especially if the soil is dry. As the water sinks 
down into the earth it helps to pack the soil in all the small 
corners among the roots, thus excluding air. When the water 
has sunk away, fill up the remainder of the hole, pack again with 
the feet, and level off. 
After carefully planting trees or shrubs they should receive 
such care and attention as will keep them in thrifty growing 
condition, and, if the best results are desired, they should never 
be allowed to become stunted in their growth. To bring about 
this condition they must be cultivated frequently, fertilized from 
time to time, and kept free from insects and diseases. Only those 
who give their trees or shrubs the care they require can hope to 
secure the maximum results from their plantings. Consult your 
successful neighbors and be guided by their experience under 
similar conditions. 
We are always glad to answer specific questions on fertilizing 
and spraying. 
Glen Saint Mary Nurseries Co. invites customers and friends to visit the nurseries at any time. Almost every 
day in the year you will find some plant in bloom, but of course there are definite times when the floral display is 
at its best. In February and March the Azalea display is simply gorgeous; then there is Rose-time when our fields 
show the Queen of Flowers at her best. The nurseries are 30 miles west of Jacksonville on State Road No. 1. 
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