TRANSPLANTING BUDDED TREES. 17 



])y the nuts tlu' prci'rdinu- year, while the two slioots are fi'oni two of 

 the hirg-e l)U(l.s near the nut. (PI. II, flu-, 1.) 



In transplantin*^- yoiinj^- trees, especially those Avhich are to a certain 

 extent weakened ))v the operation of budding, it is impossible to save 

 all of the lateral roots during the o})eration of digging from the seed 

 rows. It is, however, verv desiral)le that as few as possible be sacri- 

 ficed. Ver}' careful lifting will pay for the extra labor. In seedling 

 trees the taproot is usually severed much too near the collar and at 

 too earlv.a stage. It must be allowed to grow the first and second 

 seasons if the seedlings are to be budded, ]>ecause when removed at 

 the end of the first season or the beginning of the second the weak 

 growth will render it impossible to perform any l)udding operations 

 during that 3^ear. Therefore, it is not till the third year that the tap- 

 root can be interfered with, ])ut it is well not to risk touching it 

 until the growth of that season is completed, for the reason that 

 although the shoot made from the inserted bud makes considerable 

 growth the same season it is put on, it will make very large growth 

 the season following. The budded seedlings will then bear removal. 

 They may have a small part of the taproot removed and be either 

 planted permanently or in nursery rows. The budded seedlings of 

 the present da}', if the variety be a good one, are retailed at about 

 $2.50 apiece. When the tree brings that amount — and the supply 

 is understood to ])e far short of the demand — it should be furnished 

 with good roots. If it is worth that sum to the purchaser, it is cer- 

 tainly entitled to a little further expenditure of time and care in the 

 preparation of suital)le conditions under which to grow. The reten- 

 tion of roots at least 2^ feet below the surface of the soil is desirable. 

 If the ground in which the young trees are to be placed is not com- 

 posed of good soil to that depth, it should be supplied. A good start 

 the first vear after planting means ever3'thing to the future tree; a 

 bad start will, in the majority' of cases, mean a sickl}- tree for a long 

 time and an unprofitable investment in the end. With the roots deep 

 in good, light, loamy soil the tree is to a certain extent independent 

 of moisture from the surface. When growth begins in earnest, the 

 roots will grow in the direction of the food supply. The severance 

 of a large portion of the taproot saves a good deal of labor in dig- 

 ging and planting, but it means a complete defeat of nature's method 

 in supplying the wants of the tree. An^^one who tries the two methods 

 and compares the results will be convinced in one season in favor of 

 large roots. 



As a further precaution, the roots should be plunged in liquid nmd 



the moment they are free from the soil and never be exposed for a 



minute longer than is necessary, as they too often are, to the drying 



influence of the air. After taking from the mud, the roots should be 



9496— No 30—02- 2 



