TREE PLANTING. The quality of the soil in which trees are planted exerts a considerable influence upon their development, but, given the best possible soil conditions they may fail through indifferent planting. Where the soil is naturally deep and good, planting operations are less burdensome than in places where the soil is poor, but even then there are conditions that must be observed if the most satisfactory results are to be obtained. Generally, the larger the trees to be planted, the greater should be the preparatory work and the greater the care in planting.
If the natural water level in wet weather is within two feet of the surface of the ground some system of drainage should be adopted, otherwise the lower roots of the trees may be killed, par ticularly where the soil is heavy or of a clayey nature. The quality of the subsoil should also be observed, for although there may be a depth of 12 or 15 in. of good surface soil, a hard imperviOus pan of gravel or other material beneath is sufficient to check effec tively the tree's growth. Trees cultivated in nurseries are grown in well worked ground, and it is necessary to provide root condi tions as nearly similar as possible to those existing in the nursery when they are transferred to permanent places. All ground required for ornamental trees should be trenched to a depth of 2 to 3 ft. Where trenching over a wide area cannot be done, large holes should be dug. When the natural soil is of good quality, holes 3 to 4 ft. in diameter are large enough for small trees, but where the soil is poor, much wider holes are necessary. For important trees, holes 6, 8 or i o ft. across may be desirable. For the largest growing trees they should be made 3 ft. deep, for those of smaller size, 2 to 2- ft. In all cases it is advisable to break up the bottom, particularly if it is very hard. During the digging, all the best of the soil should be saved, and the remainder substi tuted by the best soil obtainable. It is not wise to use manure in the holes and if any is included in the filling it should be so placed that it will not come into contact with the roots of the trees. As soon as the holes have been dug they should be refilled to within 9 in. of the surface, care being taken, as the work pro ceeds, to tread or ram the soil firm. Where possible, water may be run into the holes to help to firm the ground. Planting should not take place for two or three weeks after the holes have been par tially filled or until such time as the soil has settled into position; but should hurried planting be necessary, the lower soil must be well rammed or trodden before the trees are placed in position. Deep planting must be avoided; it is the cause of ill health and premature death of many trees. Care must be taken to see that the upper roots are kept near the surface of the ground. A rod placed across the hole, at the natural level of the ground, proves a good guide; I in. of soil placed above the top roots is usually suf ficient. Tree planting is two men's work; one man should hold the tree in position whilst the other fills in the soil and firms it about the roots. When placing a tree in position, spread the roots out to
their widest extent and work fine soil amongst them. The soil may be made firm about the roots by means of a rammer or by well treading. On the completion of the work, a good watering will help to settle the soil.
Some trees require staking after planting, the stakes being retained until the roots have become vigorous again. The stakes must be driven well into the ground, but care must be taken not to pierce the roots. A piece of rubber or textile material should be placed around the trunk in order to prevent the string from cutting the bark. The string should be given a turn around the stake to prevent it slipping and the work completed by a secure tie. Several ties may be needed for a single tree. In the case of large trees it may be desirable to use a triangle of soft ropes secured to the trunk 5 or 6 ft. from the ground and to short stakes driven into the ground 3 ft. or so from the tree. Open ground should be maintained about the bases of young trees for a number of years, or until they are making vigorous growth, and only then should grass be allowed to grow close to the trunks. During dry weather, in the early years after planting, assistance may be given by applying a mulch of decayed manure and leaves to the ground above the roots, and should the leaves flag or begin to turn yellow, water should be provided. Evergreen trees are usually more difficult to re-establish after transplanting than de ciduous trees. It is wise to remove some of the branches of ever greens at the time of transplanting in order to relieve the strain upon the injured roots, and it is better to carry out the work during late spring or early autumn than in winter. If they are moved without soil more satisfactory results are obtained by transplanting them during September or early May. Evergreens that are moved with considerable balls of soil attached to the roots may be trans planted during the winter. Deciduous trees may be transplanted from October to March. Should the leaves of transplanted ever greens fall, no alarm need be felt ; that is one of nature's ways of restoring the balance between injured roots and branches; if, however, the leaves wither and remain on the branches, recovery is not progressing and it will be necessary to cut the branches back to relieve the strain upon the roots. Although trees are usually transplanted when comparatively young and small, it is possible to transfer well grown trees from place to place. By means of machinery, trees 3o to 4o ft. high, with a mass of earth attached to the roots, are often transplanted with excellent results. Such trees should be carefully watered during dry weather. (See also ARBORICULTURE.) (W. D.) any of the arboreal insectivorous mammals of the genus Tupaia. There are about a dozen species, widely distributed over the east. It is held by many anatomists that forms of this type gave rise to the Primates (q.v.). (See IN SECTIVORA.)