Evening star., 1950-10-29

not care to devote time to spray
ing and culture it will be well to
stick to the dozen or so varieties
recommended by the Potomac
Rose Society. Some of the shrub
roses are even more resistant to
disease troubles and we'll worth
considering even though their
Towering season may be restricted
to a few weeks in the spring.
But, regarless of what kind or
how many trees. shrubs and roses
you intend to plant 1t is we'll to do
the job in such a manner that
they will improve in size and pro-
ductiveness for years to come.
Tree and shrub planting, espe-
cially. is ordinarily done but once
in a lifetime. We do not dig them
up every few years and rework the
soil. All such work is done before
the planting and it should be
done thoroughly.
Prepare Bed for Trees.
A well-prepared bed for trees,
shrubs, or roses, should be dug
deeply. humus incorporated into
the soil and some of the slower
acting fertilizers, such as bone
meal. If the roots are to penetrate
the soil deeply and widely it is
important that the soil be loosened
to a good depth and quantities of
humus (decayed vegetable matter)
mixed into it. Humus stores
moisture, protection against
periods of drought. Humus, in de-
caying. liberates some of the soil
minerals that are inSoluble in
water, thus it makes available the
soils plant foods. The digging of
any kind of decayed vegetable
matter into the soil is of para
mount Importance to the health
and vigor of plants. The amount
to be dug in? All that is avail
able. Fifty per cent is considered
the optimum by our research
friends.
In buying the dormant shrubs
make certain that they have not
or do not dry out. Drying reduces
their vitality-keep them cool and
moist until they are in the ground.
More plants die before they are
planted than afterward. Careless
in a store or an over
long trip by train will greatly re-
duce their vitality. If upon re-
ceipt it is evident that they have
dried out to any degree it is we'll
to soak them for several hours in
a tub of water. If they cannot be
planted for several days it is
better to place them in a trench
and cover them (tops as we'll as
roots) with soil than to soak them
in a tub.
Remove Broken Branches.
Usually shrubs shipped from a
distance have been pruned suffi-
GENTLY to compensate for loss of
roots. However, it is well to re-
move all branches that have been
broken or bruised in shipping. Do
not be afraid to overprune. Heavy
pruning will produce stronger,
healthier and more vigorous plants
than those that are not pruned
at all. The ends of broken roots
should be given a smooth cut.
They will heal more quickly. Do
not accept woody plants whose
root systems are inadequate. No
one should expect a plant to thrive
without normal root system.
1t is desirable, but not essential,
to mulch the ground around all
newly planted shrubs and trees.
The mulch tends to keep the
ground warm and to encourage
root growth. The more root
growth they make in the fall the
better start they will have next
spring.
Trees and tall shrubs should be
staked after planting to prevent
their sWaying in the wind.
Mounding is seldom sufficient to
protect them. Stalking is con-
sidered good garden practice even
though it may be unsightly during
the first winter when it is
necessary.
Assuming a normal fall and
early winter nearly a month of
planting time is ahead of us. Do
the job while you can take your
time and do it as we'll as possible.
Even though you cannot get the
ground ready for all of the plants
you want it may be desirable to
purchase them this fall and plant
them temporarily until the site
can be made ready.