286 GARDEN GUIDE 



the season than when planting is left until the Spring months, particu- 

 larly if the Spring is a late one, so that planting has to be delayed. 

 One other point in favor of Fall planting might be mentioned, although 

 it applies especially to perennial plants. At this time the garden 

 maker has a lively recollection of the appearance which the different 

 plants have made when in bloom, and is therefore able to choose those 

 which he would like for his own garden much more intelligently than 

 he could four or five months later when his remembrance of the past 

 Summer's experiences will have become dulled. 



Some writers have asserted that the Fall is not a good time to 

 set out evergreens, but on the other hand, some of the most expert 

 nurserymen and garden makers declare that the results from Fall 

 setting are fully as good, if not better. In a year of heavy rainfall, the 

 planting of evergreens can be done with perfect safety. In seasons of 

 drought, of course, no plants can be put in with assurance unless a 

 large amount of moisture is available to be apphed artificially. 



One reason why so much difficulty is found in transplanting ever- 

 greens of any kind from the woods or the fields to the garden is because 

 of the damage which is unavoidably done to the root system. Plants 

 growing wild make very long roots which must be broken off in getting 

 them out of the ground. Nursery planted stock, on the other hand, 

 is usually shifted so often that the roots are short and bunched in a 

 soHd mass close to the base of the plant. This greatly facihtates trans- 

 planting without giving the trees or shrubs a setback, and is the prin- 

 cipal reason why nursery grown stock is preferable for transplanting to 

 that which is found growing wild. 



Operations Resembling Transplanting 



Not greatly different from transplanting is the division method of 

 propagation of herbaceous perennials discussed elsewhere. In this, 

 the clump or crown of Iris, Rhubarb, Phlox, etc., is dug up, cut into 

 several pieces with a sharp spade or knife — being sure that each piece 

 carries an eye — then each piece is replanted in newly enriched and 

 well-prepared soil. 



There is also "heehng in," which might be called a transplanting 

 into temporary quarters when it is necessary to delay setting some 

 plants for awhile. To do this dig a wide but shallow trench with one 

 end gently sloping; against this lay a row of the plants. Sprinkle 

 some soil over their roots, then lay another overlapping layer on them 

 shingle fashion. Continue in this way till all have been packed in, 

 compactly but with their roots completely covered with soil. Fruit 

 trees, shrubs, berry bushes, etc., can be kept this way all Winter if 



