i 



142 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.43 



presented in detail, together with the results of soino minor studies relating 

 to transplanting. The literature of the subject is briefly reviewed, and a 

 bibliography is appended. 



A I'eview of the literature dealing with tlie season of transplanting led the 

 author to conclude that, for the most part, ttiose who recommend spring plant- 

 ing based their opinion upon experience in sections where winter conditions 

 are trying, while those who reconmiend fall planting based their advice upon 

 experience in the milder fruit-growing sections. Where fall planting is recom- 

 mended, the desirability of planting in very early autumnn, so as to give time for 

 the roots of the trees to become better established before fall weatlun- ap 

 preaches, is emphasized. Experience at the Missouri Experiment Station./j 

 however, shows that this does not hold true imder conditions in that State; 

 for, whereas fall planting for hardy fruit trees and most of the hardy deciduous 

 trees and shrubs lias given better results than spring planting, late fall planting 

 has given better results than early fall planting. Trees planted in early fall dry 

 out more during the fall and winter than do those planted in late fall. The 

 apparent reason for tliis is that their parts are less thoroughly ripened or not 

 fully at rest at the time of early planting. Early fall in Missouri is followed 

 by a period of high atmospherical temperatures and often by dry weather. 

 Apple trees planted in the fall iisually begin new root formation about the first 

 of January from the sides of the lower main roots after the surface soil has 

 frozen. Early fall-planted trees have begun i*oot growth no earlier than late 

 fall-planted trees. 



Fall-planted trees mulched during the winter have made slightly poorer 

 growth than those not mulched. The soil about the mulched trees dries and 

 warms more slowly even where the mulch is removed in early spring. Young 

 apple ti'ees having their branches pruned back in autumn made better growth 

 the following season than trees pruned back in spring. This was true whether 

 or not the trees were transplanted. Branches pruned back evaporate more 

 water through the wounds than do similar branches which are not pruned, 

 for the first few days only. After the first few days the pruned branches lose 

 less water throughout the winter than those which are not pruned. The wound 

 made in pruning bade a twig, or a slight wound anywhere on a twig, stimulates 

 greater growth of adjacent buds. A wound made just above a bud stimulates 

 greater growth than a similar wound made below or at the side of a bud. 

 Wounds made in autumn stimulate greater growth the following season than 

 do similar wounds made in spring. 



Late spring planting has given as good results as early spring planting, pro- 

 viding the trees are kept dormant until they ai'e planted. The trees " heeled 

 in" for planting may be held dormant until late spring, sometimes until early 

 June, by lifting them out of the trench, turning them over and again heeling 

 them in, in the same ti-ench as often as their buds show indication of starting.' 

 Sour cherries usually suft'er a mortality of one-third to one-half of the num- 

 ber of trees when planted in spring, but sutfer no appreciable mortality when 

 planted in late fall. On the other hand, peaches and most species which are 

 eubject to considerable injury under Missouri conditions succeed best when 

 planted in the spring. Coniferous evergreens do best when transplanted just 

 as their new growth is starting, in the late spring. Under moist soil and 

 weather conditions, they may be transplanted in early autumn with satisfactory 

 results. Certain trees, such as persimmons, native walnuts, chestnuts, hickories, 

 and pecans, have given the best results by planting just as their new leaves 

 are pushing out in spring. They do not transplant successfully when fully 

 dormant either in fall or early spring. INIapiolias have done best when trans- 

 planted during their early blossoming period ; the tulip and sweet gum trees 



