Arbor Day.

Manawatu Herald, 14 June 1894, Page 2

Arbor Day.

PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS ON TREEPLANTING. [Extracts from the Prairie Farmer.] 1. Ten minutes of extra time and care devoted to the best planting and care of a tree will tell upon its life and upon its value in all subsequent years. 2. A few trees well seleoted, well planted, and well cared-for during the first year or. two will always be move valuable .than a far greater number hastily set out and then neglected. 3. In taking up trees, preserve all the roots and fine rootlets possible. Always dig them out with as much earth -as. is convenient, instead ot pulling them up. 4. Most carefully guard the roots froiii any exposure to sun or wind, even/or a few minutes. If the weather be dry, dipping them in a " mud porridge" is a good plan, but the coating thus given must not be allowed to get dry. If, upon arrival, they cannot be at once planted, Bet them in a trench qi opened ground, and cover all the roots with soil until the last : moment before plant* ing. ' . 5. Give the roots a deep and broad bed of good soil to start and grow in. If the soil be stony or poor dig out a good sized hole and fill in with suitable "soil. This extra trouble will be more than repaid in the extra growth and vigour of the tree. When holes "are thus dug in clay soil, be careful to dig a small ditch or trench leading from the- hole to carry off the surface-water ; otherwise in damp seasons the tree may be killed by the collection of such water. 6. Spread out the roots well an^^ naturally, and set them only a trifle deeper than they grew before removal. ■■"; 7. Fill in fine soil well under and around the roots; and make it .firm by pressure, taking great care not to injure the roots. ■' v^: vy/-: I " 8. In watering after planning" avoid the " litt!e-and-often " method, Such sprinklings do little good, Pour in water enough to soak far j down. 9. Unless the season or the situation be wet, a -mulching of cut grass, straw, or leaves, from 2in to 4in thick, and extending* pat ; £s4 each way from the trunk of; the tree^-is a great protection and' starter,, and eaves the necessity for much watering, even in a dry season. Injffindy situations such a mulching may be kept in position by weighting it with a few stones— or the'- stones alone afford protection, and 7 -may he used with advantage. •■;■• ; ; '_':• '••;'. ; . ; 10. Lastly, if success! is to attend the plan ting of treea r in exposed situations, they must :be well stalked and tied. In order tip avoid any rubbing or chafing of the bark from the cords, tie-round the bark a piece of old bagging* -.Norjrdtjng tree will ever make good roj3t|jqir^|&ke shapely form if it is constantly shaken and swayed about by strong winds. After planting, visits the ground from time to time, and take care that weeds are not allowed to choke the young trees; time epent in weeding will prove a good investment.