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ILLINOIS STATE HOETICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 



trees will do well moved early in spring, even as soon as frost is out ; I 

 have the best success in April ; but very much depends upon the condi- 

 tion of the ground, and upon the weather afterward ; I have planted in a 

 dry time in April and lost trees by drouth; and then again in July, in a 

 damp time and with wet weather following the planting, and all lived. 



Mr. Woodard. — In this latitude April is the best month for 

 planting, though I have succeeded in October. 



Mr. Crow. — I have been very successful in planting as soon as the 

 ground is in good condition in spring, before the spongioles start ; they 

 are almost sure to be destroyed, if formed, in the transplanting. 



D. C. ScoFiELD. — I agree with what has been said by Mr. Galusha 

 and the President. The ground should not be too wet when trees are 

 planted ; it is better to wait, even if growth commences a little, than to 

 plant in the mud. Trees should be transplanted every two or three years 

 while in the nursery and then they are moved with entire safety, provided 

 the roots are not allowed to become dry ; even a few minutes' exposure will 

 often thicken the resinous sap, and as soon as this is done the trees are 

 dead. I have seen whole wagon loads of evergreens hawked about the 

 country, with their roots exposed to the sun and wind, and sold to 

 unsuspecting farmers; and every one of the trees was dead before it was 

 sold. When I sold and planted trees upon the grounds of the Insane 

 Asylum in Elgin, I was thought foolish and overcareful in taking so much 

 pains to keep the roots constantly damp while the trees were out of the 

 ground; but my trees all lived, while from a lot of trees planted at the 

 same time by another party, on another part of the grounds, who was not 

 so particular, very many died. I never pour in water when planting 

 trees; but after the planting is completed, and the mulching put on, if 

 the ground is not quite damp I pour on sufficient water — even if it takes 

 barrels of water — to saturate the soil above and around the roots. Belts 

 of evergreens sometimes double the amount of farm crops by the protec- 

 tion they afford. I have known such instances. 



Mr. Austin. — I do pour in water; and sometimes, where planting 

 large evergreens, I even make a puddle in the hole and put the trees in it, 

 and they all live. 



Mr. Gibson. — I have had only six years' experience in this business, 

 but have made failures. I use water at time of planting in a dry time in 

 this way: I dig my holes long enough before planting to allow water to 

 settle and then fill the holes nearly full — saturating the soil below and on 

 all sides — and after the water has all settled away plant the trees. I have 

 known trees planted December 25th to 30th with entire success; the best 



