The finished planting hole should never resemble a sunken, smooth container. weather even these tend to become defoliated. The planting time for evergreens is more restricted than for deciduous trees, but the old idea that early autumn and late spring are the only suitable times should be less rigidly adhered to. It is better to plant during a mild spell, in suitable soil conditions, in late autumn or early winter than during a period of dry, searing winds in spring. The application of a plastic spray, e.g. S 600, to the leaves and branches of evergreens immediately after planting has proved to be a considerable help in achieving successful establishment. Spraying overhead with clean water, applied through a fine-nozzle spray during sunless periods, is also very helpful, much more so than pouring unwanted water around the inactive roots. The erection of temporary screens made of hessian or other suitable material on the windward side of newly planted evergreens is worthwhile, Staking, even of small evergreens, should not be neglected, and the support of these can be improved by placing the stakes at a suitable angle against the prevailing winds. After-care It is vital that the initial planting of trees should be followed up by adequate after-care. So much depends on this, but it tends to be neglected. Mulching This means the spreading on the surface of cultivated ground, above the tree roots, of a 2in(5cm) layer of matter such as peat, leafmould, spent hops, chopped up bracken or straw, decomposed compost, well-1 rotted farmyard manure or processed pine bark. The last-mentioned is becoming more popular as it is sterile and helps to reduce weeding, besides being readily available. The objective is to conserve moisture and to insulate the soil against fluctuations in temperature. Avoid spreading fresh lawn mowings unless this is done very thinly, and never use any after the recent application of | herbicides to lawns. The most effective time to mulch is generally con-1 sidered to be at the very end of winter and in early spring, just as active I growth recommences. It will be found that an occasional topping-up of the material used becomes necessary. Birds searching for food will scatter some of the mulch, and strong, drying winds will also lessen the covering. Weeding The surface of the ground should be kept cultivated and weed free. The mulch which has been applied will assist in keeping down the weeds, and although weeds can be killed by applying herbicides the dead vegetation remains to form unsightly circular patches which are irritating to see in a well-kept garden. No precise time scale can be given when grass may be allowed to grow up to the base of tree stems, so much depends on local conditions; but maintaining a clean mulched surface for, say, three years undoubtedly helps in the establishment of healthy, free-growing specimens. Great care should be taken to avoid damaging the stems of trees with a lawnmower; it is better to use shears to finish off the grass cutting.