THE ELM CITY NURSERY CO., NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT 
WOODMONT NURSERIES, Inc. 
Transplanting Directions 
Preparing the Soil 
No one thing is of more importance to the ultimate development of plants 
than thorough preparation of the soil. When the natural soil is of a poor quality, 
replace to a depth of about two feet with a good grade of loam. For a single 
plant, dig out a hole twice as large as is really necessary to contain its roots. 
When group plantings are to be made, dig out the whole area. Well rotted 
manure may be mixed into the soil to good advantage, but always avoid the use 
of fresh manure in contact with roots of a plant. The problem of drainage must 
be considered. If the natural drainge is poor, artificial drainage must be made. 
Planting 
At the time of planting, most plants need a little shaping, both of tops and 
roots. Since a portion of the root system has been cut away in digging, a corre¬ 
sponding portion of the top should be removed. It is best to retain the general 
shape of the plant, cutting away any weak or injured branches, and about one- 
third of the previous year’s growth from the end of each branch. Evergreens and 
stock dug with a ball of earth are exceptions. The root system should be 
examined and all split or bruised roots removed with a diagonal cut. 
Be careful not to set the plant too deep, for injury is sure to follow. Place 
the plant a little deeper than the point at which it is to remain, and carefully 
spread out all the roots (plants dug with a ball of earth excepted), now shovel in the 
earth until the roots are covered about two inches. Lift the plant up and down 
until the soil settles in well and no cavities remain. Throw in more earth and 
with a blunt stick work well in under the roots. Press down the soil with a 
firmer or the foot, beginning at the center of the plant and working out. When 
the hole is filled to within three or four inches of the top, pour in two or three 
pailfuls of water. Allow this to disappear, and then fill the hole leaving a slight 
depression around the plant. 
In planting evergreens or other plants dug with a ball of earth, care should 
be taken to prevent breaking the ball. Place the plant in the hole so that the 
top of the ball is not more than one inch below the level of the ground. Put in 
enough soil to hold the plant firmly in place. Do not remove the. burlap cover¬ 
ing from around the ball, but rip it at the top and down the sides in about three 
places and crowd to the sides of the hole. Fill up as described above. 
Watering and Mulching 
After a plant has been set in the ground it should be mulched with manure, 
leaves or lawn clippings to prevent evaporation of the soil’s moisture. When 
mulching is unsightly or not practical occassional watering and frequent loosen¬ 
ing of the soil serves a similar purpose. The ground around plants should never 
be allowed to become dry and if there is not sufficient rain, artificial watering 
should be supplied. 
After Care 
It is our earnest desire to assist all lovers of trees and other plants, from a 
practical standpoint by helping them to attain desired results. Many plantings 
never receive the after care they require. This applies more especially to home 
foundation and other intensive plantings of both evergreens and shrubs. Such 
plantings are often massed with the plants placed close to one another to produce 
immediate effects. Unless these plantings are trimmed consistently from season 
to season, they soon lose their original attractiveness and become ragged and 
overgrown, whereas if they are given proper care, they improve in appearance 
from season to season and can be kept within any required limitations. 
Deciduous shrubs should be pruned so as to remove a portion of the old wood 
each year, saving the new growth. By this method each plant is entirely renewed 
every few years. Judgment must be used in pruning so that as much of the blos¬ 
soming wood as possible will remain. This refers especially to Spiraeas, Forsythia, 
Japan Quince, etc. Such shrubs as Hydrangeas. Altheas and most roses, bloom 
on the new growth and are improved by pruning before the spring growth begins. 
A little mid-summer pruning is often advantageous, especially where plants 
are becoming unshapely or are overgrown. Massed plantings of evergreens need 
careful pruning ana shaping each season, otherwise the stronger growers will 
overcrowd the others. This trimming can be done to advantage just before the 
new growth starts in the spring. 
These brief instructions are only intended to give a few simple pointers. 
Write to us freely if you have any garden problems which are causing you anxiety. 
With our wide experience it is probable that we can help you. 
Protection 
It is advisable to stake a newly planted tree in locations where the wind 
blows severely. The continued shaking of the tree prevents the little rootlets 
from getting a hold in the soil and often results in failure of a plant to grow. 
Suitable guards should be provided for all trees planted where exposed to 
horse bites, hub scars and similar injuries. 
FOR SPECIAL DISCOUNTS SEE PAGE ONE, 
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