PLANTING FOREST TREES. 101 



dilation of the sap that is constantly going on under 

 the bark of the tree. To overcome this shock, and to 

 make a new start, the full activity of the leaves and roots 

 is put in requisition, as the plant takes up a part of its 

 food by the roots, and assimilates it by the leaves. But 

 how can this be done when an operation has been per- 

 formed by which both organs are made to suffer so greatly 

 as to be unable to discharge their ordinary functions. 



As for the rest, the forester, in transplanting, should 

 look into and examine closely the principles by which 

 nature is working, furnishing to the plants everything 

 which they require for the full development of their in- 

 born recuperative power. It is true, the use of the short- 

 handled axe in planting trees does not seem to correspond 

 with this advice, as the side roots are thereby somewhat 

 pressed together; but this is only recommended with very 

 young seedlings, and especially with young Pines and 

 Oaks, as they have long taproots, the conservation of 

 which is of chief importance during the first years of 

 their growth. Moreover, as the soil in the plant-hole is 

 very loose, the side roots of the saplings soon succeed 

 in vindicating their right of spreading sideways. 



TRANSPLANTING LARGE TREES. 



The forester is sometimes called upon to move large 

 trees from the position in which they have grown for 

 years to another. This work is often required on moun- 

 tain forests, and in such cases as are called " Forest 

 Gardening", and which have been alluded to on page 62. 

 It necessarily involves some amount of anxiety to the 

 operator ; it is the most precarious and uncertain opera- 

 tion in regard to its result, the forest planter has to per- 

 form. Success can only be attained by the most careful 

 execution of the work in every detail. 



The preparation of the trees beforehand is undoubtedly 



