The battering and swaying that autumn planted trees receive when exposed to the hurricanes of our hillsides or seaside sites so enfeeble them that, in spring, when growth should commence, the majority will be found to be in a very unsatisfactory state, whereas, by inserting in spring, when growth will soon be at its full activity, the chances of succeeding are greatly enhanced. In peat bog the antiseptic properties of the soil act dangerously on the roots of young trees if allowed to remain therein for some time before active growth has commenced. However, with the exceptions cited, tree planting throughout the British Isles generally should be taken in hand as soon as the leaves of the hardwood species have fallen, which usually takes place about the second or third week of October, much depending on the particular season. Lift the plants very carefully from the nursery brakes, and do not, on any account, tolerate the too-often-enacted practice of tearing the trees from the ground, and before they have been properly loosened on both sides of the lines with a fork. To lift nursery stock properly—and the extra expense incurred in so doing is money well spent—a trench should be thrown out along each side of the line and the soil undermined from beneath the roots, so that the plants can be lifted without tearing or straining the tender rootlets. It is not important, if the plants are inserted soon after being lifted, that soil should accompany each, the roots being plentiful and unmutilated making up for the want of this. Where, however, the plants have not to be conveyed far from the home nursery to the plantation there is no need to remove much of the soil, for if left intact the young tree is far more likely to start away freely into growth than if this was shaken clean off. [Illustration: TOOLS USED IN PLANTING] Immediate planting after being lifted is to be strongly recommended, the evil of allowing plants to lie about exposed to wind and weather being well known. Should it, however, not be convenient to plant at once, the nursery-stock should be stood closely together, and some damp straw, leaves, or soil heaped around the roots of the outer or exposed specimens in the lot. In any case, the roots must never be allowed to become dry and parched, or be subjected to frosty winds, as these act most perniciously, and soon destroy the tender fibres and render them almost useless for the purpose intended. In planting, spread the roots to their full extent in the pits, avoiding all cramping and bending, placing the largest to the most exposed side, and cover with earth, the finest soil being placed next the roots, and the rougher and grassy on the top. Placing the turf in the bottom of the pit, cutting it well up with the spade, putting a little earth on the top of this, and then planting the trees, has its advantages, the rotting turf acting as manure by the time the roots have got down to it.