JANUARY. 153 



are needed, and in finishing all the transplanting, choos- 

 ing for the purpose nice mild days. 



If the tree to be planted is from a distance do not 

 unpack it, and if it is at hand do not dig it up until the 

 hole is ready to receive it, and it will be a good thing if 

 the ground be sufficiently moist not to require much 

 watering. The best plan is to move trees with great 

 balls of earth round the roots, by which means they are 

 little disturbed. Another is to trace the roots, and spread 

 them out well in the new soil, press them in well, and 

 cover carefully. If the tree look badly afterwards, water 

 it over the head, weather permitting, but avoid much 

 water to the root as too chilling. A little mulching may 

 do good in the night in cold weather, throwing the 

 manure aside in sunny days, that the earth may get 

 warm. When planting out from pots, shake the earth 

 a little from the roots, spread them, and give a little 

 water, but put dry earth on the surface of the ground. 

 If stakes are wanted, put them far enough off not to 

 touch the roots, and the protection of branches of ever- 

 greens set round may be of service. If some shrub of 

 a choice kind appear to do but badly, search carefully 

 with a fork for the extremities of the roots, and dig out- 

 side of them a trench one foot and a half wide, and fill it 

 up with fresh, rich soil, for the roots to spread into when 

 growth recommences. 



All bulbs which are showing above ground must be 

 protected, according to their kind, as mentioned in their 

 respective chapters. Half-hardy trees or shrubs may 

 generally be protected by having some light covering 

 thrown over the tops, as frost falls from above. This, 

 with a little mulching of dead leaves at the roots, and a 

 hay band twisted round the trunk, will generally be 

 enough. Sawdust, leaf-mould, or old tan, makes a good 

 protection for anemones, tulips, hyacinths, and scillas. 

 Wherever the beds require a dressing of fresh soil they 

 should have it, and this is often more beneficial than 

 manure, which, if too abundant, is apt to produce leaves 

 rather than flowers. On poor soils, however, give ma- 

 nure, but let it be well incorporated with the earth, deep 



