26 THE BOOK OF EVERGREENS. 



ly fall, is that of planting large trees ; and it is one which 

 we consider so opposed to sound common sense, that it 

 should meet with cHsapproval from every true friend of 

 arboriculture. We are well aware that the owner of 

 every new place is anxious to produce what is usually 

 known as an immediate effect, and therefore he at once 

 proceeds to plant large evergreens, covering his grounds 

 with great, unsightly trees, swaying about with the wind, 

 and in most cases destitute of branchlets or leaves on the 

 lower limbs. Such a system as this may produce an im- 

 mediate eifect, but it is certainly opposed to good taste. 



Men of experience seldom desire such trees, knowing 

 full well the baneful effects of transplanting large ever- 

 greens. In almost every case of this kind, the lower limbs 

 are apt to die, and thus greatly disfigure the symmetry 

 of the tree. 



The Pine family proper, in such cases, invariably shed 

 their foliage on all the lower branches, and forever after 

 present a pitiable sight. 



Young and healthy plants, when carefully taken up and 

 as properly replanted, are never subject to this disfigure- 

 ment, and are almost certain to form handsome specimens. 



Before leaving this subject, we desire to give a few di- 

 rections for transplanting young seedling evergreens from 

 the woods. Much disappointment very frequently results 

 from the performance of this operation, notwithstanding 

 it should be entirely successful if the proper conditions are 

 observed. Such seedlings, it is well known, are gener- 

 ally found in moist, shady localities, and, as is very reason- 

 able to suppose, are utterly unable to withstand the heat 

 of the sun after removal, or comparative dryness in the soil. 



After digging (not pulling) the plants, especial care is 

 necessary that the roots be properly protected and not al- 

 lowed to become in the least dry, as this is the most es- 

 sential point in the whole transaction. They should then 

 be carefully packed in damp moss, with numerous holes in 



