378 OX TRANSPLANTING TREES. 



large plants may be transported any distance with perfect safety. 

 When the operation is conducted by manual labour only, and a 

 considerable distance has to be traversed to the new site, we 

 have found it best to place the specimen upon a handbarrow, 

 and to have the same borne by two or more labourers, seated in 

 a spring-cart, and, in this way, neither the jolting of the springs 

 nor the rough unevenness of the road affect the stability of the 

 root-ball. When placed in its new position, it is well to have 

 the pit somewhat larger than necessary, and into the vacant 

 space around the ball to pack closely a quantity of fresh mould, 

 composed of well-rotted turf mixed with leaf-mould,- and, after 

 one good drenching of water, the tree may be left to its fate. 



Should very dry weather supervene, it may be necessary to 

 add more water. Yet this is rarely requisite; and we think that 

 mischief is too often done by frequent repetitions of watering. 

 In administering the thorough soaking when planted, it is best 

 to apply the water overhead — that is, upon the leaves and foliage 

 of the tree, and not merely to pour it into the roots. By this 

 precaution, the invariable tendency to profuse perspiration which 

 the leaves of a transplanted tree exhibit, is prevented or modified, 

 and, consequently, any undue drain upon the system of the tree 

 from that cause is obviated. To aid the success of transplanting, 

 it is almost unnecessary to add that the operation should only be 

 conducted in dull or cloudy weather. 



Security against the swaying of the plant from the action of 

 wind is the only other precautionary measure subsequent to 

 planting, requiring notice in this paper. 



As soon as removed, all specimens should be firmly secured 

 against the sudden attacks of gusty weather. Generally speak- 

 ing, in the case of large trees, the root-ball will be found a sheet- 

 anchor of sufficient weight (if the tree has been properly lifted) 

 to cope with the violence of the elements. 



It is well, however, to moor small or tender trees by stakes 

 well driven into the ground, probably to a depth of three feet, or 

 by ropes or strand-wires fastened to stakes driven into the soil 

 around the root. Another method sometimes employed to secure 

 steadiness of the tree in its new position, is, in transplanting, to 

 splice to its leading roots long pieces of tree-roots, from fifteen to 

 twenty feet long and about two inches diameter, cut from other 

 trees — thus the lever power, and resistance of the roots against 

 the swaying of the head by the wind, is greatly increased, until 

 the tree takes hold of the soil for itself, and becomes thoroughly 

 established in its new site. 



In cases where ornamental shrubs or trees are planted, with 

 the prospect of being again, at no distant date, transplanted, it 

 would be well to proceed thus : — Having dug the pit for the 

 reception of the tree, drive four stobs into the ground to the 



