of the roots before the leaves unfolded. Most eminent physiologists are of opinion that 

 food is absorbed from the soil almost exclusively by the extremities of the roots, called 

 spong-ioles. Owing to the delicate nature of these organs, it it hardly possible to preserve 

 any considerable quantity of them, even by the greatest attention and care; hence the 

 importance of transplanting at a time when the damage to the roots can be most certainly 

 and speedily repaired. The influence of mature leaves on the formation of roots, is now 

 generally understood. Andrew Knight, in a paper on the Detached Leaves of Plants, 

 said — " he had frequently observed in his experiments, that the destruction of the mature 

 leaves of young plants suspended the growth of the roots." Many experiments liave been 

 made of late j'cars, with detached leaves, that is, leaves without any wood or even a bud 

 at their base. I have been curious enough to grow them, and found that with due care 

 they will live a considerable time; they add considerably to their substance, become thick 

 and fleshy, usually form a tuberous sort of base, and emit roots abundantly. Lindlei' 

 speaks of the advantages possessed by evergreen over deciduous trees, in transplanting, 

 owing to the presence of efficient foliage. " As evergreens," he remarks, " are never de- 

 prived of their leaves, so the}'^ are never incanable of forming roots; on the contrarj?-, they 

 produce them abundantly all Avinter long, and rapidl}^ at any other period of the jenr 

 which is favorable to their growth, so that they are capable of making good an injury to 

 their roots much more speedil^^ than deciduous plants." Then why not plant deciduous 

 trees at a time when a part of the foliage remains in an efficient state, and enable them to 

 rejiair their damaged roots as speedil}^ as evergreen trees.^ It is certainly possible, as 

 may be objected, that the Aveather early in the fall, might prove so unfavorable as to in- 

 jure the newly planted tree; on the other hand, I believe it is certain, that if favorable 

 weather should be experienced, the tree would grow with greater vigor the following year, 

 than if it had been removed at any other time. But, considering the inefficient state of the 

 roots of a winter-transplanted tree, may it not be asked, is it not also possible that the 

 weather in the early part of spring might prove so unfavorable that " the efforts of the 

 tree to recover itself bj'^ the emission of leaves, would only accelerate its end?" It is well 

 known to planters that this may occur, and I think it must be conceded that the growth 

 of a tree planted after the leaves had fallen, would be comparatively feeble, even under the 

 most fovorabe circumstances. Owing to the damaged state of its roots, a scanty and defi- 

 cient supply of aqueous sap would be absorbed in earl}'^ spring; a less quantity of organi- 

 zable sap would be dissolved; the buds would be imperfectly nourished, and would not 

 acquire that size and plumpness, so sure a sign of health and vigor; the first emitted leaves 

 would be comparatively small; a less breadth of foliage would thus be exposed to the 

 light, and a less quantity of sap would therefore be elaborated in spring and early sum- 

 mer; hence the puny growth of the fruit and young wood, and the crippled state of the 

 tree for that year at least; it would in fact have the appearance so well understood by the 

 phrase, "a transplanted tree." 



With respect to transplanting in spring, when the buds are about to burst into leaf, I do 

 not think it advisable to defer transplanting till then, if it can be avoided, although the 

 growth of several trees which I have removed at that time has been very satisfactory, and 

 seemed to me mucli more vigorous than it would have been if they had been planted soon 

 after the leaves had fiillen; but early in the fall is every way preferable. A plant, I be- 

 lieve, will be found much more susceptible of injury in spring, than it is in the fall. Dry 

 withering winds frequently prevail in the early spring months, and they constitute one of 

 chief objections to planting at that time; but supposing the weather to be as favorable 

 the fall, yet the difference between the functions of mature and young leaves, would 



