TRANSPLANTING 285 



Moving Large Trees 



As already suggested this is really a task for professionals who 

 have the necessary trucks, tackles, and experience. It is necessary 

 only to explain that unless they use the frozen ball method, they 

 usually go about the digging very gradually and systematically, be- 

 ginning well away from the tree, lifting the roots carefully and picking 

 out the soil from the fibrous masses. They then separate the long main 

 roots, wrap each in burlap and tie them up to the trunk out of the way. 

 When the tree is loose in the hole it is tipped onto and tied to a low- 

 hung wagon or a drag and hauled to its new position where the roots 

 are spread out as naturally as possible. 



Of course the soil must be replaced with great care; also the tree 

 must be well braced and guyed until it takes hold and secures itself in 

 its new berth. There is an old belief held to by many that a trans- 

 planted tree will not live unless it is set in the same position with refer- 

 ence to the points of the compass as it stood before. Often this can be 

 provided for by noting w^here the moss or greenish tinge, that is usually 

 present on the north side of a tree trunk, is to be found. We are not 

 prepared to say whether this theory has a proved scientific basis or not. 



Fall Planting Opportunities 



Many people have a curious notion that the Spring is the only 

 natural planting time. The truth is that experience has shown that 

 this is one of the best seasons for the home maker to set out trees and 

 shrubs. For one thing, work presses less heavily in the Autumn. 

 There are fewer things to do in the flower and vegetable gardens, with 

 the result that more time is left to devote to the care of the trees and 

 shrubbery, without which no suburban or country home is complete. 

 Then, too, the nurserymen themselves are less rushed in the Fall and 

 are able to give more careful attention to the orders which they receive. 

 All things considered, therefore, there is no better time to transplant 

 most ornamental trees and shrubs, as well as Raspberries, Blackberries, 

 Currants, and many of the fruit trees. 



There are some exceptions. Most of the trees which have stone 

 fruits, such as both the edible and ornamental Peaches and Cherries, 

 are better left until Spring in the colder section of the country, although 

 they are planted to some extent in the Fall. There are ornamentals, 

 too, with soft, fleshy roots, such as the Magnohas, which it is best not 

 to plant at this season. The average nurseryman will frankly tell 

 which trees are not suitable for Fall setting. 



When shrubs and trees are set out in the Fall, they make growth 

 quickly in the Spring and often are much farther along at the end of 



