124 PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



in which case the plant is soon ont of danger. Then 

 there is often clondy and dripping weather after the turn 

 of the day, as it is called, and every one must have re- 

 marked the greater geniality of that season in regard to 

 growth as compared with spring. Besides, in the spring 

 months the soil is colder and the atmosphere is drier than 

 in autumn, as may be seen from the table on the oppo- 

 site page (p. 125). 



The conclusions to be derived from those tables plainly 

 point out autumn as the best period for the transplanting 

 6 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 mid- 

 summer to the end of April, — perhaps we might say the 

 whole year round. This has occmTcd from a compen- 

 sation 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 wiU 

 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 De- 

 cember or January again, supposing frost to be absent, 

 in which case alone the comparison is possible, the eva- 

 poration is diminished, but the warmth of the soil is 

 also lowered, and the transplanted evergreen is appa- 

 rently in similar circumstances as before ; and yet it is 

 not so favourably situated, since it wants the stablishing 

 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 sufficient warmth in the soil to promote the gTowth 



