MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 171 
start is made where the roots are 1 inch thick, digging a 
trench 2-3 feet deep, loosening the'soil down from the roots 
with round-pointed tines, picking out the roots and tying 
them in bundles. This operation is continued until a ball 
about 6-8 feet wide remains. This ball will vary in size, 
however, depending upon the size of the machine and the 
kind of tree. The exposed roots should be wrapped with hay 
or straw and covered with burlap to prevent ‘drying out and 
bruising during transportation. It is fairly safe to leave the 
larger roots exposed for a day, as those 4% inch or more in 
diameter will not be dried out to any extent within that 
time. The trees are lifted upon trucks or skids with a tackle, 
and placed in a horizontal position by means of a cradle 
attached to the front axle, the bundles of roots being held 
suspended by arms radiating from a wooden hoop around 
the trunk. Cushions of straw, burlap, and slats should 
always be used around the trunk at point of contact 
with tackle chains or ropes. The most important precaution 
in planting a tree moved in this manner is to avoid a greater 
depth than the original. The soil should be tamped well 
with round sticks, thoroughly watered, and the trees well 
anchored to deep anchor posts. A mulch, as well as wrap- 
ping of the trunk, is very essential to keep down excessive 
evaporation. 
Successful transplanting of evergreens requires the reten- 
tion of a ball of soil around the roots, the size of the ball vary- 
ing from 3 to 15 feet in diameter, depending upon the size of 
the tree as well as the compactness of the root system. Root 
pruning and frequent transplanting of evergreens is desirable 
if a fibrous, compact root system is to be obtained. The ball 
is dug, carrying the larger roots 3-4 feet beyond it and bend- 
ing these back around the ball. A canvas or burlap strip 
2-3 feet wide is then placed around the mass of soil and 
drawn taut by means of ropes running through rings at the 
bottom and top of the canvas. The bottom rope is tightened 
with a wooden lever containing 4 holes through which the 
rope is passed and the lever turned. The top rope is tied 
and crossed. As soon as the burlap is fastened the ball is 
completely severed from the subsoil, and a platform placed 
under by tipping. The ball is then fastened to the platform 
and drawn out of the hole and on to a low wagon upon 
rollers and skids. The unloading is performed in the re- 
verse manner, with the platform drawn into the hole and 
there detached and pulled out from under the tree. The 
canvas is then taken off, the outer roots spread out, and new 
soil tamped in. Shading of the trees and frequent Niger | 
will insure a greater degree of success, as the ball of so 
