332 MANUAL OF GARDENING 



Southern states transplanting may be done at most times of the 

 year, but late fall and early spring are usually advised. 



In transplanting conifers, it is very important that the roots 

 be not exposed to the sun. They should be moistened and 

 covered with burlaps or other material. The holes should be 

 ready to receive them. If the trees are large, or if it has been 

 necessary to trim in the roots, the top should be cut when the 

 tree is set. 



Large evergreens (those 10 ft. and more high) are usually 

 best transplanted late in winter, at a time when a large ball of 

 earth may be moved with them. A trench is dug around the 

 tree, it being deepened a little day by day so that the frost can 

 work into the earth and hold it in shape. When the ball is 

 thoroughly frozen, it is hoisted on to a stone-boat or truck (Fig. 

 148) and moved to its new position. 



Perhaps the handsomest of all the native conifers of the north- 

 eastern United States is the ordinary hemlock, or hemlock spruce 

 (the one so much used for lumber) ; but it is usually difficult to 

 move. Transplanted trees from nurseries are usually safest. 

 If the trees are taken from the wild, they should be selected 

 from open and sunny places. 



For neat and compact effects near porches and along walks, 

 the dwarf retinosporas are very useful. 



Most of the pines and spruces are too coarse for planting very 

 close to the residence. They are better at some distance removed, 

 where they serve as a background to other planting. If they 

 are wanted for individual specimens,they should be given plenty 

 of room, so that the limbs will not be crowded and the tree be- 

 come misshapen. Whatever else is done to the spruces and 

 firs, the lower limbs should not be trimmed up, at least not until 

 the tree has become so old that the lowest branches die. Some 

 species hold their branches much longer than others. The 

 oriental spruce (Picea orientalis) is one of the best in this 

 respect. The occasional slight heading-in, that has been men- 



