PLANTING. 93 



system ; a few minutes of exposure often suffices to kill 

 the finer roots. The method of protection depends on 

 the kind of plants, the time during which the plants are 

 in transit, the species and the climate to which they are 

 exposed ; the drier the latter, the more carefully must 

 the plants be protected. 



Ball plants possess already a good protection in the 

 lump of earth in which the roots are imbedded. For 

 transport occupying not more than one day, the balls 

 should be packed close together to prevent their 

 drying up, and the earth from being shaken off. Only 

 in rare cases are such plants carried over long distances, 

 the cost being too great. 



Plants without a ball of earth should be at once pro- 

 tected. This is best done by dipping the roots immedi- 

 ately after lifting into soft mud, which forms a thin layer 

 over them ; the plants should then be tied together in 

 bundles of convenient size. For transport over short 

 distances, which occupies not more than one day, the 

 bundles should be placed in baskets, wheel-barrows, 

 carts or waggons, according to circumstances, the roots 

 being surrounded by, or imbedded in, moss, grass, or 

 earth. If the weather is dry and the sun shining, some 

 cover may also be provided, to prevent the drying up 

 of the foliage. The moss or grass used to cover them 

 should be well moistened, and this process may be 

 repeated from time to time during transit. 



If the transport extends over several days, further pre- 

 cautions are necessary. The small bundles are, in that 

 case, bound together into large packages, by arranging the 

 plants so that the roots are all on one end, well 

 wrapped in wet moss, grass, &c., and then secured by 



