284 



TRANSPLANTING AND PLANTING. 



on account of the plants crowding each other. Evergreen trees, such 

 as those of the pine and fir tribe, are also occasionally transplanted, 



Fig. 253. 



Fig. 254. 



Isometrical view of the tabular 

 tree-guard. 



Vertical profile of the tabular 

 tree-guard. 



Fig. 255. 



though much less frequently than shrubs. The most readily transplanted 

 evergreen trees of large size, are the spruce-fir and the yew ; the 

 former having numerous fibrous roots near the surface, and the latter 

 having also numerous fibrous roots growing, together, and consoli- 

 dating the soil immediately round the tree into a compact mass. 

 Spruce-firs, yews, and hollies of large size were, some years since, 



transplanted at Elvaston Castle by Mr. 

 Barron, with scarcely a single failure, 

 though the spruce-firs were from sixty to 

 eighty feet in height, and many of the 

 yews were above a hundred years old. 

 Evergreen shrubs of all sizes have also 

 been transplanted with the greatest suc- 

 cess in the new botanic garden of Edin- 

 burgh, by Mr. McNab. 



The best season for transplanting ever- 

 greens is from April to June, or just be- 

 fore the old leaves drop off and the new 

 ones begin to be formed ; though with 

 skill in their removal, and care in after 

 treatment, evergreens may be moved 

 with safety any day in the year. The 



reason why dull or moist weather is so essential a condition is, that the 

 process of perspiration continues to go on in evergreens at all seasons, 

 excepting, perhaps, in the most severe weather ; and that when the 

 atmosphere is saturated with moisture, the perspiration is reduced to 

 its minimum. Evaporation also proceeds in an increasing ratio with 

 the temperature, all other circumstances being the same. Thus, when 

 the temperature is 80, the quantity evaporated from a given surface 



Cross section of the tabular 

 tree-guard. 



