REMOVING AND TRANSPLANTING TREES. 103 



tors know that trees throw out their roots to long dis- 

 tances ; but with this knowledge merely they seem entirely 

 satisfied. They only assent to it, and let it pass. They 

 seem to have no practical appreciation of it. Their expe- 

 rience in cultivation seems to have no connection with such 

 knowledge ; and we should naturally suppose, from their 

 actions, that they thought trees ten feet high had roots 

 only fifteen inches, instead of fifteen feet long. It may be 

 laid down, as a general rule, that the roots extend in each 

 direction from the foot of the tree as far as its whole 

 height, and in many instances much farther. We see 

 proofs of this fact where such trees as the locust and sil- 

 ver poplar throw up suckers at great distances from the 

 trunk. The nurseryman who passes between his rows of 

 salable trees is not often aware that the whole surface of 

 the ground beneath his feet is covered with a net-work of 

 roots, often extending the breadth of two or three rows. 

 When he digs the trees by placing the spade a foot from 

 the stem, he does not know that he cuts off and leaves nine- 

 tenths of the fibres in the ground. The planter who sets 

 them, out supposes that for several years the roots only oc- 

 cupy a small circle, which he may spade and enrich, and 

 thus afford them- all the cultivation that is necessary. The 

 roots of growing apple-trees require quite as much lateral 

 space as the longest branches. It is too common an error 

 to suppose that if the branches of trees have light and air 

 enough, nothing further need be provided. But the facts 

 already stated show that the tops may be far from meet- 

 ing, and yet the roots may long since have become inter- 

 laced. Witness the extent of roots, p. 90, Fig. 46. 



All intelligent pomologists and tillers of the soil, as far 

 back in ages past as we have any account, have appeared 

 to understand the importance of preparing the soil for all 

 kinds of trees in such a manner that some of the roots will 



