TRANSPLANTING. 7* 



of one hundred and fifty, all of which had commenced growth 

 alike. Those which were mulched all lived. Of the hundred 

 not mulched, fifteen perished. The weather was hot and dry 

 at midsummer. 



Trees received from a distance, and injured by drying, should 

 immediately have their roots coated by immersion in a bed of 

 mud ; and then the whole stems and branches buried in moder- 

 ately moist earth for a few days. They will gradually absorb 

 moisture, through the pores in the bark. 



SEASON FOR TRANSPLANTING. 



Nearly all deciduous trees may be removed from the soil at 

 any time between the cessation of growth in autumn and the 

 swelling of the buds the following spring. The operation 

 may be performed first in autumn with those which drop their 

 leaves soonest; but any tree, when not growing, may, by 

 stripping its leaves, be removed safely. If left on, they will 

 invariably cause the shrivelling of the bark, in consequence of 

 the large amount of moisture they are always exhaling, and 

 which cannot be restored through the roots. 



The rule must vary somewhat with circumstances. Tender 

 trees, as the peach and apricot generally succeed best if set in 

 spring, unless in a warm, dry soil in a sheltered place, and in 

 a climate not severe. It may be added, that soils rather wet, 

 or liable to become soaked with water before freezing, should 

 never receive trees in autumn. The rule should be carried 

 one step farther; such soil should never be set with trees at 

 all. They are unfit until well drained. Much of the " bad 

 luck" that occurs is from wet subsoils. 



It is commonly best to dig up trees in the autumn from 

 nurseries in any case, whether for fall or spring setting. If 

 sent long distances, they will be on hand and may be sent out 

 early. They may be heeled in, and be more effectually secured 

 from freezing, than if standing in the nursery rows. In heel- 

 ing in, select a dry, clean, mellow piece of ground, with no 

 grass near to invite mice; dig a wide trench, lay in the roots 

 sloping (Fig. 1 1 1) and cover them and half the stems with fine 

 mellow earth ; fill in carefully and solid all the interstices among the 

 roots; doing this work imperfectly often results in loss ; if well 



