306 Missouri State UorticuUural Society. 



lay will, however, be found rather a benefit than otherwise, as in 

 the meantime, the proper furnishing of the tree will be established 

 before any strength of the sap is drawn off to assist the upward 

 growth of the leader. 



The lesson taught, of course, is that the equilibrium of the 

 various parts of the tree should be always maintained by pruning 

 any shoots that evince rampant tendencies. Systematic manage-, 

 ment will thus preclude the necessity of all severe pruning in the 

 sense of amputation. 



The simple processes hereby pointed out are doubtless familiar 

 to most experts ; but it has been our wish to secure from all who 

 possess evergreens, a greater attention to such operations. It is 

 simply pruning with thumb and finger, or knife, and not shearing 

 into formal shapes. Only experience can afford an adequate con- 

 ception of the quality of growth thus retained. — G. M. 



THE BEST EVERGEEENS. 



If proper care is taken in handling them, evergreens can be 

 successfully moved every month in the year, while with careless 

 handling there is very great danger of loss at all seasons. 



The evergreen tree retains its foilage at all seasons, thus always 

 exposing a very large evaporating surface to the air ; consequently 

 if their roots are disturbed and their supply of moisture thereby 

 cut off there will necessarily be a severe drain upon the vitality of 

 the tree. If the roots are exj^osed to wind and allowed to dry they 

 will suffer or die very quickly, so that when reset in the ground 

 they are not in the condition to resume their natural functions, but 

 must recuperate themselves before they can supply the needed sap 

 and nourishment for the top of the tree. 



Drying of the roots is always attended with an equal or greater 

 amount of drying of the tops, although the latter is less noticeable 

 at the time of exposure. 



It is, therefore, a matter of the greatest importance which 

 cannot be too strongly insisted upon, that the roots of trees, par- 

 ticularly of evergreens, should not be allowed to dry in the air. 



It is not possible to avoid all such risks in transplanting ; the 

 art will never be so perfected that some trees will not die. 



It is also very important to preserve all the roots of a tree un- 

 injured while digging and equally so that they should be properly 

 spread and st)'aighteiied in planting and every fibre placed in 

 contact with the soil. In order to do this it is necessary to work 

 the fine earth among them with the hands and* by liberal watering 



