Home Surroundings 
of Washington, D. C., were raised 
from seed sown by the present Cura¬ 
tor of the Botanical Gardens when 
he was well advanced in years. 
One word about the “home” of the 
tree or shrub. You are to transplant 
them from congenial soil and condi¬ 
tions. You want them to thrive and 
become a joy forever. So they will 
if you treat them well. The act of 
transplanting destroys the feeding 
roots. New and tender ones must be 
formed to penetrate the surrounding 
soil in search of food and moisture. 
The tree, in its enfeebled condition, 
suffering from amputation, cannot 
succeed unless the surrounding soil is 
loose and friable and contains a fair 
amount of plant food. If your ground 
has been plowed fairly deep and cul¬ 
tivated as suggested, but little further 
work is needed, although care must 
be taken to have that part that 
comes in contact with the roots fria¬ 
ble and easily worked. If not plowed 
or loosened up, holes six or more feet 
in diameter and two deep, filled with good soil, 
should be provided. Shrub and vine holes may 
be four feet in diameter. Never place wet, lumpy 
soil near the roots. Work the soil well among, and 
under the roots, and when they are covered, tamp 
hard, or flush in with a hose. In dry weather soak 
thoroughly once in a while. 
In moving into one’s new home why not celebrate 
the event by planting a tree ? Or why not celebrate 
the birthday of the baby of the family in this way ? 
That the event occurs at an improper season need 
not deter you, if time is taken by the forelock. If 
the event occurs in the winter, prepare the hole in 
the fall, filling it in with good soil and dump over 
SHRUB GROUPING 
it a load or two of fresh manure to keep free from 
frost. Get your tree, also in the fall, and plant it 
in a bushel basket, which may be kept in a barn or 
cellar or any place not warm enough to incite growth. 
When the day arrives, remove the manure, plant 
basket and all and cover well with part of the manure. 
The method for summer is on the same principle, only 
no manure is needed and the tree, obtained in the 
spring, is planted with its basket in some spare space 
until wanted, when basket and all is moved. 
A proper metal tag, containing a record, should 
be attached to a limb by a copper ring, say six inches 
in diameter, that may be removed from time to time 
to prevent it growing into the wood. 
39 
