Show FIRMING THE SOIL FOR TREE PLANTING I There is no one lesson which the tree planter needs better to learn the soil in tree planting Success in the operation i hinges on this more than the average planter seems to bejaJvaTe Have you j ever tried to pull even a small seedling or shrub from the ground by main force I I you have an object lesson on the firm I I grip which the soil has in the subject I must have been imparted to you Such i I closeness of the soil to the roots should J be approximated in the operation of plant I I LiThe gardener who in dibbling in cabbage j cab-bage or other plants makes it a rule to set them so firmly that a leaf will tear off I before the plant will come up if it o pulled has the right idea in this matter i Too often the tre planter falls so far short of this conception of soil firmness in I the planting that he seems to think if the soil be brought however loosely against I the roots it is all hat is required The result is indicated by the large fatality I to trees in the case of averageplanting I To set a tree as you would set a post is about the right idea and a tool made out i i of a block of heavy wood with a handle attached is a useful one at this work in addition to the use of the feet by tramping the soil To thus set trees regard is to be had to having the soil in a condition I I sufficiently friable that it may be passed i around and between all the fine roots as I the planting proceeds Then with packing I pack-ing the eartn very firmly against the roots these can absorb needed moisture in i a way that is impossible with loose planting plant-ing I tins method of planting were generally gen-erally adopted one ssouid less often hear I the remark from amateur gardeners I dont see why that pear tree died speak I ing of some lately set > subject |