TRANSPLANTING. 35 



in the leaves, and separated from the more watery particles, 

 descends through the inner bark, having now acquired new 

 powers, and being now peculiarly prepared to nourish and 

 give flavor to the fruit ; and, continuing its descent, it de- 

 posits in its course the cambium, or mucilaginous sub- 

 stance, by which new and successive layers of wood and 

 of bark are annually added to the tree ; while whatever is 

 not adapted as aliment to the peculiar wants of the plant, 

 is again returned by the roots to the earth. 



SECTION VI. TRANSPLANTING. 



When trees are removed for the purpose of being trans- 

 planted, their roots should, if possible, be preserved fresh 

 and entire. If these precautions have been omitted, their 

 whole bodies and roots must be immersed in fresh water 

 during twenty-four hours; and their tops must be lessened 

 in proportion to the loss their roots have sustained. The 

 sources by which they derive the nourishment which they 

 receive from the earth being diminished, the whole sap of 

 the tree, and even its vitality, would otherwise pass off by 

 transpiration. 



October and November, and immediately after the first 

 hard frosts have arrested vegetation, is esteemed the best 

 season of all for transplanting trees. The peach, the plum, 

 the cherry, and evergreen trees, do especially well when 

 planted early in autumn. But where circumstances render 

 it necessary, transplanting may be deferred till spring. 



When trees are transplanted in autumn, the earth be- 

 comes duly consolidated at their roots, and they are ready 

 to vegetate with the first advancement of spring. 



The holes for receiving the trees, should be dug from 

 four to six feet in diameter, according to the size of the 

 trees, and eighteen inches deep ; the yellow subsoil should 

 be cast out to this depth, and replaced at bottom with rich 

 soil, intermixed with a portion of manure. The tree 

 should generally be set no deeper than it stood before, 

 otherwise the lower roots will cease to grow ; the fibres 

 should be spread horizontally, in their natural position, 

 and the soil intimately and compactly placed about their 

 roots ; manure may be placed above and beneath, and 

 on every side, but ought never to be suffered to come 

 in contact with the roots, as it is liable, in this case, to 



