TRANSPLANTING LARGE TREES. 107 



As more or less of the roots are removed or injured, it 

 is necessary to prune the top when transplanted. This 

 has generally been done by cutting all the branches back ; 

 but a better way is to remove a portion of the branches, 

 leaving those strong ones that are in position to give the 

 tree a well-shaped top. If all the branches are left, and 

 the proportion between the tops and roots balanced by 

 cutting all back, in after-growth some of these branches 

 will require to be removed an injury, perhaps, to the 

 tree. This certainly will apply to fruit trees. Sometimes 

 trees for ornament or shade require to be cut back to 

 make a thicker top or one more symmetrical. 



Large trees are removed in Winter with a large ball of 

 earth attached to the root, and, though a heavy job, it 

 is the only* successful method of doing it. A trenchcan 

 be dug at the proper distance around the tree, and filled 

 with coarse litter previous to freezing, and also the holes 

 to receive the trees, which will much facilitate the labor. 



Small trees do better than large ones, and it is better 

 to be to the trouble of taking care of them one or two 

 years longer than to have them grow too long in the 

 nursery row. Trees grown on good soil are better than 

 from poor soil. They have more and better roots, and 

 are in better condition to grow in their new location. 

 Of course, it is not desirable that the soil where they 

 have grown should be so rich as to produce such a growth 

 that the wood will not properly ripen, but sufficient to 

 make a strong, healthy tree. A tree in poor soil has 

 weak, spindling, feeble branches, and, like a starved an- 

 imal, takes a long time to recover, even when placed in 

 better soil with better feeding. 



After large trees are properly transplanted, they should 

 be staked, to prevent swaying around by the wind. 

 When the ground is soft, the movement of the top 



* This is a little too much claimed. 



