172 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



there is reason to believe that more than three fourths of them are 

 usually lost in lifting. Some kinds of trees bear the loss, and 

 recover from it, much more readily than others, as, for instance, the 

 pear on quince root, which has the power of emitting new roots 

 with greater facility than almost any other fruit tree ; while the 

 cherry is more uncertain because it emits new roots with greater 

 diflSculty. The following brief rules may be given as covering the 

 principal points to be observed in transplanting: 



If the trees have come from a distance, and have become dry 

 and shrivelled, let them be buried in the earth, root and branch, 

 until they are plump and full. Then shorten the top in some meas- 

 ure proportionate to the loss of robots, by cutting in last year's 

 shoots ; if the trees have a fair proportion of roots, this heading 

 in should not be severe, and if, in addition, the planting be well 

 done, and the trees properly mulched, it may be omitted entirely ; 

 in which case they should have a moderate lieading back the foUoic- 

 ing year, which will then result in more vigorous growth. The 

 more top is left, if the tree does well, the more fibrous roots will 

 be made the season following the planting. Next cut off smoothhj 

 the end of every root, taking away any bruised portions. A fin- 

 ger, amputated by a spade cut, may be expected to heal as kindly 

 as a root so treated ; both are alike portions of organized tissue, 

 and subject to the laws of life. 



The holes being large enough to allow every root its natural 

 position, without bending or crowding, spread out the fibres in 

 every direction as widely and evenly as possible, while fine mould 

 is sifted among them ; one person holding the tree, while another 

 fills in. Let ever}' root be in close contact with the soil, and no 

 vacancy allowed, which would produce mould or decay. When 

 nearly filled, pour in a few quarts of water from a watering-pot to 

 settle the earth among the fine roots, and complete the filling with 

 dry, mellow surface soil. 



Apples and pears on their own roots, also cherries and plums 

 (as well as trees and plants generally) are to be set at the same 

 depth at which they stood in the nursery — unless the situation be 

 a moist one,* in which case they should be set higher, and the 



* If trees must be set where there is a liability of the ground becoming saturated 

 with water at any season, they may be set on the surface, without digging any hole, 

 raising the earth about them to the proper height. 



