Deciduous trees are exciting. There is always a promise connected with them, for, although they rest during the colder months to permit sunshine to filter to the earth, they bring glory to the garden when the leaves do come back. Mankind waits happily and hopefully.

Deciduous trees are best planting in bare root form or when the growth is dormant, in January, February, and early March. This means that the chosen tree has not been cramped in tin but has come directly from an open field and usually has been pruned but little.

And here is a secret: Although the buyer may be tempted to buy the tree with the largest trunk, he should learn first just how much of the root stock has been cut back. A tree with a root system inadequate for the size of the trunk and tree head is not desirable. A tree with a trunk smaller in diameter may be the better tree.

Bare root trees are far less expensive than ones already in containers, but once a tree is purchased it should be planted 'immediately. If this is not possible, heel it in or bury it in, wet earth.

Do not use fertilizer of any kind in soil about a bare root plant or the fibrous root system may be burned. Use instead good soil with an equal amount of thoroughly wet peat moss. In such a base, the sensitive roots will reach out quickly and eagerly. Peat moss also helps water to penetrate deeply. Be sure the hole is wide enough to accommodate every root.

When shoveling this soil moss mixture into the hole, allow water to run gently to help firm the mass. The plant bud must remain above ground, so measure the depth of the hole and the root system up to this bud before starting procedures. As soon as the tree shows signs of growing, start watering deeply every 10 days unless there are heavy rains.