GROUNDWORK AND PLANTING. 
225 
drains should be placed as low as the outlet will permit, both 
because they are more effective, in consequence of the greater 
pressure forcing the water downwards into them, because they 
thus operate on a larger body of soil, and because they are more 
out of danger of being disturbed by the descending roots. 
Trenching is so common, so well understood, and nothing 
offering when executed for this purpose of a nature differing from 
the usual mode of performing it, that I may pass it over without 
other observation than a recommendation to have it done well, 
and when the land is dry, and come now to the act of planting. 
If all the previous work can be finished in an efficient manner 
in due season, there can be no better time for commencing to fill 
the ground than the month we are entering on; but rather than 
neglect or improperly hurry the preparation of the land, I would 
defer the planting till spring ; so much importance do I attach 
to this part of the matter, that I would rather give up my fa¬ 
vorite period for the removal of the trees than have it slighted. 
But if all is ready, then let the work be proceeded with as quickly 
as possible, that it may be finished by the first week in November, 
beyond which it should not be protracted on any account. The 
first thing connected with the operation is to have the subjects 
carefully taken up ; the roots should be preserved as safely as 
the utmost care will allow, and on no account should they be 
suffered to lie exposed to the wind or become dry; let them be 
put in their places as quickly as it can be accomplished, and 
should it be unavoidably necessary to keep them out of the 
ground for a day or two, let them be covered in some way that 
will preserve humidity about them; the points and parts which 
have been lacerated in the removal should be cut smoothly over, 
and as they are stationed endeavour to give an equal spread to 
the roots on all sides, that the tree may be secured as much on 
one side as another, keeping them as near to the surface as may 
appear advisable, at any rate not burying them lower than they 
were before removal. Avoid trampling the ground after planting, 
but shake the tree gently as it is done, that the earth may fall 
into the spaces between the roots ; tie each specimen likely to 
require it securely to a stake, and there will remain but little 
danger of failures.' 
Sylvanus. 
