PLAXTIXG AXD TRAXSPLANTIXG EVERGREENS. 123 



of watering keeps the roots moist, as well as consolidates 

 the earth about them, and if carefully done at first, will 

 scarcely require any additions. If the water is not 

 administered tiU after the earth has been fully pressed 

 in round the roots, frequent repetition and larger quan- 

 tities wiU be necessary, and the same beneficial results 

 wiU not be attained. 



There has been much difference of opinion and many 

 discussions respecting the most suitable season for trans- 

 planting evergreen shrubs. Some recommend the autumn 

 months, others the winter and spring. When the opera- 

 tions are extensive, it may at times be necessary to carry 

 on the work during the whole period, and if frosty and 

 withering weather is avoided the planting may be suc- 

 cessful. It is admitted by aU, that the transplanting of 

 evergreens should not be attempted when the plants 

 are in fuU growth, for, though even then they may sur- 

 rive the shock, the chance is that most of them ^^ill 

 perish or die down to the ground. It seems also ascer- 

 tained that the loss of evergreens when transplanted is 

 caused by the excess of perspiration from their leaves 

 compared with the quantity of sap taken up by their 

 mutilated roots, and that consequently dry parching 

 weather, at whatever season it occurs, is, other things 

 being equal, the most unpropitious for the operations to 

 which we are now adverting. At first sight this prin- 

 ciple might seem to exclude the end of summer and 

 early autumn from the seasons available for planting; 

 and yet it does not, and that for various reasons. At 

 the period to which we have referred there is much 

 warmth in the soil, and as the perfected sap is then 

 descending from the leaves, the growth of roots com- 

 mences rapidly and goes on to a considerable extent, 



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