SPRING WORK 39 



Aside from spring-blooming bulbs, lilies, peonies 

 and bleeding heart, hardy plants are shifted in 

 the latter part of April and early in May to rather 

 better advantage than in the autumn, though there 

 is no rule save convenience and the exigencies of 

 the case. 



If note of what is to be moved has not been made 

 already, look over the garden with pencil and paper 

 in hand and get a line on things. Before digging 

 you are supposed to have some idea of what sort 

 of a root growth a plant has, that you may favor 

 it as much as possible. Excepting with tap roots 

 there is no special risk if most of the soil falls away 

 but it is safer to have a good ball of earth, which 

 is not difficult in spring when there is plenty of 

 moisture to hold it together. The ball is less likely 

 to split if the trowel, or spade, is pressed deep into 

 the soil on one or two sides and withdrawn, the 

 actual lifting being then done from a third side. 

 When a very large plant or shrub is to be handled, 

 first prepare the new hole. Then it may be car- 

 ried there on the spade that has lifted it and there 

 is less likelihood of the ball of earth splitting. 

 If the distance is far, lay the burden, spade and 

 all, on a wheelbarrow and look out for rough 

 places in transit. 



When you can do so, choose for transplanting 

 a day when the sky is overcast or when you have 

 an idea that rain will be along soon. Then, per- 

 haps, you will be able to do away with the trouble 

 of watering. As the plants are dug lay them care- 



