THE 
ELM CITY NURSERY CO. 
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 also be considered, 
and if the natural drainage 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 
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 covering 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 in the same manner as described above. 
Rhododendrons require special preparation of the soil for planting, and do best 
when exposed to full sunshine only a small portion of the day. Dig out beds to a 
depth of at least two feet and see that good drainage is effected. Fill to within 
eight inches of the top with leaf-mould, peat or broken turf, press down firmly and 
add about one inch of good soil to fill voids. Set plants in position and fill up with 
good loam. The plants should be mulched when planted and kept mulched con¬ 
tinually. 
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 are unsightly or not practical occasional watering and frequent loosening 
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. 
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 get¬ 
ting 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. 
Fishers’ Island, N. Y., 8-25-’ 14 . 
Everything has come out splendidly by following your suggestions and we are 
very much pleased with the same. The plants were exceptionally good and strong 
and have done wonderf ully well. J. S. D. 
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h'OR SPECIAL DISCOUNTS SEE PAGE ONE. 
