280 



VALUE OF TRANSPLANTING. 



a tall tree, the top is allowed to run, and its growth 

 is obtained in nearly half the time, but results in a 

 slender, withy whipstick. 



The value of transplanting the tree before setting 

 in the orchard, is, that the roots are brought into a 

 limit where they can nearly all be retained. 



This diagram ex- 

 hibits the roots of a 

 tree as they lie in the 

 ground, and the circle 

 the proportion of roots 

 which would be re- 

 tained by the tree as 

 it is usually dug. («) 

 represents a root with 

 the little spongioles 

 through which the 

 tree feeds. These are very soft and tender, and, in 

 transplanting, it is almost impossible to retain them 

 alive. But this is of no great importance; for if there 

 is a good supply of the small roots, of the size of 

 a pipe-stem, or of even half that, they will readily 

 supply themselves with feeders. But it will be seen 

 that most of these small roots are outside of the 

 circle, and are, consequently, lost. To be sure, the 

 large roots will supply themselves also, but not so 

 readily as the former ; and therefore this transplant- 

 ing more properly takes place in the nursery, where 



