In taking up trees or shrubs for final planting on the Park, every fiber of the root should, if possible, be preserved. The tree or shrub should be lifted directly upward, by a hold as near as practicable to the roots, and not drawn out by a sideways pull.

No more trees or shrubs of ordinary size should be taken up at any place, or at any time, than there are means of carrying toward the place where they are to be planted, within five minutes after they are taken out of the ground. Otherwise they must be “heeled in” as fast as they are taken up. If they are to be [255]carried far, the roots must be covered with damp straw or weeds or earth, in the cart. No trees should be allowed to stand, after they have been taken from the cart, more than five minutes without being heeled in, or having their roots in some manner completely covered and protected from sun and wind and frost.

In planting trees or shrubs each planter should be provided with a sharp knife, with which, on taking the tree in his hand, he should cut clean any bruised or broken part of the roots. No other cutting or pruning is to be done at the time of planting.

No tree or shrub is to be planted in a hole or a pit which is less than twice the diameter of the body of roots.

Those who are charged with the planting of a tree or shrub will be held responsible for the conduct of those who assist them, and are directed to refuse to go on with the work if they cannot secure implicit obedience to these directions, and what they think to be sufficient care and painstaking on the part of everyone. They will not allow any man to work with them who is careless or clumsy in his treatment of roots.

No tree or shrub is to be planted under any circumstances except in the best manner. Work industriously, but do not try to plant rapidly. Better one shrub an hour, planted in the best manner, than fifty planted only pretty well.

No shrub is to be planted in ground which has not been dug or loosened to a depth of at least two feet within a circle at least six feet across (unless where rocks or other trees or shrubs to be saved interferes.)

No tree is to be planted in ground which has not been dug to a depth of at least two feet within a circle of at least twenty feet across, unless rocks or other trees to be saved interfere.

The roots must be opened and spread out with the fingers upon a bed of carefully worked, fine mold. Fine mold must then be worked and pressed in among the roots near the trunk with the fingers, until there are no cavities left to be filled. The filling of cavities must not be at all done by pouring water on, except with very large trees, and in difficult cases.

The longer roots must be covered with fine worked mold carefully sifted over them. No manure is to be placed in contact with the roots. The tree or shrub is not to be shaken or moved up and down in order to settle the earth about the roots. This must be done with the fingers. No heavy treading is to be given the roots after they are covered. If the tree or shrub is not likely to stand firm through the Winter, a mound of earth may be drawn up around the trunk of sufficient height and breadth to ballast it. (This is to be leveled in the Spring.)

No tree or shrub should be planted deeper than it has previously stood, unless there are special reasons for it. The collar, or junction of the bark of the trunk with the more tender bark of the root, should be as little as possible below the general surface of the adjoining ground.

Mary has suffered a good deal and between pain & the hot weather is considerably pulled down. As soon as well enough now, she will go some where, I don’t know where, but if possible to some mountain place, within easy reach. Baby & children well—except Charlotte; who wilts.

The long dry weather has been severe on the park, especially as the Croton Board cut off our pipe supply, but the trees are doing tolerably well. The Commissioners are scattered, two in Europe, & we get no Board business done. Am working 2000 men. Water keeps well up & clear, in the lake, to my surprise. Our Annual Report will be soon published, & will be sent you.

Back Country is all ready for delivery—will be published I suppose 1st of August. Has been favorably noticed in Post & Times.

Vaux and I have engaged to furnish a preliminary plan for “the Commissioners for laying out the upper part of Manhattan island”—1800 acres of very rugged & beautiful ground—impracticable to be brought into the square street & avenue system of the rest of the island. We have six months to do it in, two competent military engineers, Col. Asboth and Mr. Rosa, to assist us, all surveying expenses to be paid, and our own compensation (clear of all expenses except travelling, &c) to be $2500 (the firm, Olmsted & Vaux), with a chance for further employment. Asboth & Rosa are to be paid $1500 a year & there is a Secretary at $500. We have orders from E. K. Collins to proceed with the topographical survey of his ground, 300 acres at New Rochelle.

The Staten Island Rail Road is said to be doing unexpectedly well & South side property is rising. As I understand the matter, we can not sell the farm if we wish to. That is, I do not see how we can, though I have understood you to assume that we could. Under the law, does it not belong to the children, & must it not be held for them till of age? Green, whose advice I asked about selling it, says so—& that the Judge could not order it sold under the circumstances—or [257]that if he did, the title would be questionable. How is it? If it can be sold, the present rising tide of the market should be watched at least.

I hold tolerably well. How are you & where are you going for air tonic?