■lo April, 1Q12.] Propagation of Fruit Trees. 209 



When the tree has been lifted the soil should be shaken from the roots by 

 giving the butt a few sharp clouts with the palm of the hand. Tne 

 practice of tapping the butts against something hard is faulty in that 

 it involves great risk of causing injury to the bark or cambium. Deci- 

 duou.s trees carrying foliage at the begmning of the liftmg season shoukl 

 have the foliage removed as soon as they are lifted. The operation of 

 removing the leaves from most kinds is easily performed by drawing the 

 i\and down the growths towards the crown, upwards with others. It is 

 a matter of choice whether the leaves are removed before or after lifting, 

 Lut if the leaves are not removed the trees will wilt to some extent. 



When evergreen trees, such as the loquat, are destined for a long 

 journev it will be found beneficial to remove the foliage, and any tender 

 or immature growths, by using a sharp knife. This applies also to the 

 citrus family with regard to tender and immature growths. 



Apple trees, if a portion of the roots are required for root-grafting, 

 should be opened out well in order that all the length of root possible be 

 obtained. The pieces of roots cut off should be healed in and not allowed 

 to get dry before being grafted. When trees having brittle roots, like 

 the apricot, cherry, &c., are being lifted care must be exercised in pulling 

 because of the risk of breakage. Yearling loquats worked upon the quince 

 stock should be handled with care when being lifted from the soil, tied 

 together, or packed, as they ate very liable to break away at the union with 

 the stock. As soon as the trees have been lifted all those belonging to 

 the one variety should be tied together and labelled, the name being written 

 distinctly upon a waterproof tag, such tag to be affixed to a portion 

 of the tree where there is least likelihood of its detachment. Lifted 

 trees should be healed in if not required for early despatch or 

 planting-out. Deciduous trees will receive no hurt for a day or two 

 if packed in a sheltered position, the roots being kept well watered and 

 covered with sacks or some such suitable material. Evergreen trees 

 should not be allowed to lie about ; they should not be lifted until re- 

 quired, and packing should proceed as .soon as possible if for transit. 



Packing. 



The manner in which trees should be packed for transit will be deter- 

 mined chiefly by the distance, the time occupied in reaching their destina- 

 tion, and the botanical order to which they belong. Evergreen 

 require rather more care than deciduous trees. The chief factor in 

 packing is to keep the roots moist and cool, care being exercised in seeing 

 that no material is used that will develop heat when damped and kept 

 ^way from the air. When deciduous trees are being packed for a short 

 journey, straw, grass hay, rushes, or some similar suitable material may 

 be used for the outside covering. No obnoxious grasses or weeds should 

 be used as that would be the means of disseminating the seeds of such 

 plant pests. Some partly decayed straw or grass hay well damped, 

 should be packed about the roots. To secure this class of packing for 

 the roots the straw or grass should be placed in a heap, kept covered and 

 well watered some short while before using. The straw or grass will 

 thus become partly decayed by the time it is required, and if damped 

 well before using it will keep moist about the roots for some weeks with 

 no fear of heating. When straw or rush is used for packing the opera- 

 tor should place upon the ground, about i foot apart, and parallel to 



