=Planting Trees too deep.=—Fully 50 per cent. of the deaths amongst newly-planted trees may be directly attributed to the pernicious practice of too deep planting. Cases come before us frequently where, owing to burying the roots of the trees and shrubs at too great a depth in the soil, they have either died out or gradually become unhealthy owing to strangulation and want of air. It is a mistaken idea that by placing the roots at an excessive depth in the soil the young tree will be better enabled to withstand wind, and so remain in an erect position. Most workmen quite ignore the original mark on the tree stem as to the depth it stood whilst in the nursery, and go to an opposite extreme by covering up both root and stem to an unnecessary depth. Large trees suffer quite as much from being planted too deep as those of smaller growth. Quite recently we were asked to look at a large number of lime trees about 16 ft. in height that had been planted for several years without a sign of upward growth. The reason for this was not hard to discover, for on unearthing one of the trees it was found that the roots were covered with fully 2 ft. in depth of soil. The trees in question had never budged an inch, and were from year to year gradually on the decline owing to the ruinous practice of too deep planting. No better guide as to the depth at which a tree should be planted can be had than the distinct mark on the stem showing the depth at which it stood whilst under nursery management. In order to keep newly-planted trees from being damaged by rocking with the wind, and to preserve them in an upright position, firm trampling is all that is required. In very exposed situations it may sometimes be found necessary to place a small piece of turf against the stem on the opposite side from which it is leaning, and to make this firm by means of the foot. Staking, at least in the case of small transplants, is never necessary, though in the case of larger trees and where the situation is exposed, light poles thrust into the ground to which the stems are made fast may be found necessary. Of course, it is a mistake to allow trees to rock about in the wind to such an extent that the roots become strained and barked, and holes worked around the stems, but this can readily be prevented by periodical examinations of the newly-planted trees. Stones should never be placed in the holes referred to, as they damage the roots, a piece of stiff turf or heavy soil being far preferable. With a large experience of tree planting I find that the general tendency is to plant too deep—an evil that it is hoped these notes will be the means of remedying, in some cases at least. CHAPTER VI TREES FOR ECONOMIC PLANTING From a commercial point of view the best trees to plant are such as will produce the largest volume of the most valuable timber in the shortest space of time.