TRANSPLANTING LARGE TREES. 105 



over the area occupied by the roots, a day or two after 

 planting is finished, will be beneficial. The tree must 

 be carefully secured against disturbance by wind. The 

 most effectual way to do so is by strands of rope stretched 

 from the top to pegs in the ground. 



In conclusion it may not be amiss to add some direc- 

 tions for transplanting large trees, which were given in a 

 pamphlet published by the Department of the Interior in 

 1885 for the celebration of Arbor Day. There it reads 

 as follows : 



At the outset it is necessary to bear in mind that the 

 tree is a living body, and that the process of removal in- 

 terferes with its functions, and when it is displaced from 

 the ground, causing an arrest of the circulation that is 

 constantly going on between the tree and the soil, a severe 

 shock is sustained. Every root-fiber and its spongiole 

 destroyed lessens by so much the chances of success, and 

 when a greater portion of these are gone, the tree is forced 

 to depend on its own vitality to supply a new set of root- 

 lets before growth can take place. 



In the beginning bear in mind that it is important not 

 to injure the roots and to preserve as many as possible, 

 particularly the small ones, for these are what must be de- 

 pended on to start the growth in the new life. Where 

 trees are dug up to be removed a short distance, preserve 

 all the roots if possible. 



When the tree is out of the ground, exposure to the 

 sun or drying winds will cause evaporation, which is very 

 detrimental to the tree, and is a common cause of failure, 

 and one which is often overlooked. If, however, the tree 

 has become shriveled and dried, vitality may often be 

 restored by burying the whole for a few days in moist 

 soil ; but it is far better not to have them get in condi- 

 tion to need any such remedy, which at best cannot restore 

 the tree to its original condition. 



In excavating holes for planting, it is necessary to dig 



