180 PARKS AND PLEASUBE-GROrXDS. 



atmosphere is drier than in autumn, as may be seen 

 irom the table on the opposite page. 



The conclusions to be derived from tliose tables 

 plainly point out autumn as the best period for the 

 transplanting of evergreens ; and yet, -when rightly 

 considered, they admit of that wide range of time 

 which actual experience authenticates. We believe 

 that evergreens, in small quantities, have been safely 

 transplanted from midsummer to the end of April — • 

 perhaps we might say the whole year round. This 

 has occurred from a compensation of advantages and 

 disadvantages. Take August, for example : the air is 

 then drier than it is two months later, but the soil is 

 warmer ; and if the plants escape a blazing sun for a 

 few days, the growth of roots will commence, and will 

 very speedily supply to the leaves all the perspirable 

 matter that is needed. Thus, an equilibrium of action 

 is rapidly established. In December or January again, 

 supposing frost to be absent, in which case alone the 

 comparison is possible, the evaporation is diminished, 

 but the warmth of the soil is also lowered, and the 

 transj^lanted evergi'een is apparently in similar circum- 

 stances as before ; and yet it is not so favorably situ- 

 ated, since it wants the establishing influences of the 

 autumn months before it is required to encounter the 

 severities of spring. It must be added, however, that 

 in mild, moist winters and springs there is often suf- 

 ficient warmth in the soil to promote the growth of 

 roots ; and at these times, if the weather is such as to 

 prevent excess of evaporation, the transplantation may 

 be completely successful. 



In the colder districts, there are sometimes pro- 

 tracted frosts, lasting, perhaps, from December to 



