Nursery trees are trees which have been grown under nursery conditions for at least two or three years. The most desirable method of handling such trees is to ball-and-burlap them, to lessen the danger of injury from transplanting. This applies to small trees with well-developed root systems, and especially to those which have been so root pruned that the root spread is in a smaller, more compact area than that of the usual nursery tree. Holes for nursery trees should be excavated at least one foot larger than the ball preserved with the tree. In other words, the roots of the tree should never be pruned to fit the hole in which the tree is to be planted and the roots should never be crowded. It is quite essential to place small guy wires, not less than three in number, to each small nursery tree from two to five inches in diameter. This is especially necessary when trees are in exposed locations or stand alone as specimens.

When large plantations are set out and the trees will be subjected to broad sweeps of wind, it is more economical not to guy, but rather to watch the plantation, and from time to time straighten up such trees as are pushed out of their normal position by the wind. In an effort to build up plantations of native growth, such as oak, beech, hickory, basswood, and any other forest trees, it is better to plant these trees in concentric circles or a spiral arrangement so that during the first three or four years any one could cultivate among these trees without very much difficulty. If the trees in such plantations are staggered here and there without any relationship to any avenues through which harrow or cultivator can pass, the maintenance work becomes a question of hand work instead of team work.

Key

A - Anemone. B - Bulbous Iris. C - Chionodoxo. O -Crocus.

E - SnQivdrop. F - Squill. G - Grape Hyacinth.

H - Tulip. I - Hyocinth. J - Narcissus. K - Lily.

Note Stem-rooting lilies should be covered by earth 3 1/2 times depth of bulb.

Bottom-rooting lilies should be covered 2 times depth of bulb.

Plate IX. It is important to know the depth, distance apart, and time of the year at which different kinds of bulbs should be planted. Many disappointing flower effects are the result of violating these rules with reference to depth, distance apart, and time of planting. (See page 67)