<^j 00 i:i:\i:iN<! am> man.\(;i:mkxt of trees. 



nurseries, is their elusoness. Altlioiijj^h tlity are cut back, no >t<iiit >\t\>: liraiidics are 

 proiluccd, beeause of the want of a full share of litcht around the lower ]»art of the 

 trees ; any shouts that ilo start out are soon smothered, and the entire growth is 

 thrown into two or tliree shoots at the top. A gooil pyramidal tree can txH be jiro- 

 ^lu^^.^>,l — >ve ean not secure the first branches — without a clear space of two or three 

 feet ooiJ each side; whereas, they usually stand within a few inches in the nursery rows. 

 Another advantage in giving trees abundant space, to whicli we have already 

 alluded, is, that it promotes the extension of roots. In fact, whatever favors the 

 extension of branches, also favors the roots ; because they depend so much upon eacli 

 other as to be co-extensive. But the soil has a powerful influence on the roots. In 

 stiti", clayey soils, trees have bare, forked roots, and few tibrcs; and that, too, even 

 when the growth of the tree is good. Such trees do not transplant well. Dry, friable 

 soils, are more favorable to the growth of numerous fibrous roots, and trees taken from 

 them transplant more successfully. Culture has a great influence on the roots, too. 

 If the ground be kept continually clean and friable by cultivation around the roots, 

 they become much more fibrous and better for transplanting than if the surface of the 

 o^round be permitted to harden into a crust, or to be covered with weeds or grass. 



Having the trees thus properly grown in abundant s])ace, dry frialile soils, and 

 clean culture, the next important point is to take them up properly ; because, no 

 matter how a tree is grown, if it be badly taken up it is not fit for successful trans- 

 planting. Trees are more universally injured — ruined — in this operation than in 

 any other. We believe it is so in all parts of the world, for our trees imported from 

 Europe are about as badly bruised and mangled as any we ever see at home. At the 

 seasons of transplanting, nurserymen are generally hurried, and have to employ raw, 

 untrained laborers, who know or care as much about roots as they do about conic 

 sections, A man may stand over them, and show them, and talk to them until he is 

 hoarse, and yet the roots will be cut and mangled. It really requires considerable 

 skill and experience, and a great deal of care, to dig trees well. Some have long tap- 

 roots that penetrate the ground deeply, while others spread widely near the surface of 

 the o-round. These difterent characters require different modes of proceeding. Some 

 insist that it does a tree no harm to cut off some of its roots ; but we hold that the 

 roots should be taken out of the ground without the slightest bruise or mutilation, if 

 pofsible. The necessity for curtailing the tops would thus be obviated, and there 

 would be some hope for the trees. We are utterly opposed to the lopping off both 

 roots and branches of trees, and thus converting them into bare poles before planting. 

 The generally commended proceeding of pruning or shortening the tops, is a necessity 

 only because the roots scarcely ever escape injury in some way or other; and as 

 leaves must receive a supply of nutriment through the roots, it is only reasonable that 

 when the roots are reduced the leaves should also be reduced in a corresponding degree. 

 Then comes packing for transportation. The less the roots of trees are exposed to 

 I the air, between the time they are taken from the ground and the time they are 

 planted, the better. This should never be forgotten. If roots be of any value, it can 

 only be when they are sound and fresh. More than nine-tenths of all the trees planted 



