TRANSPLANTING. 69 



and sun are warmer. If the work of transplanting 

 has not been completed before the warm, dry 

 weather of spring has set in and before new wood 

 has advanced far, it is best to defer the work till the 

 frequent showers of August and September begin 

 to fall. Good results sometimes follow summer, 

 fall, and winter planting, but these seasons are not 

 so good as the months of February, March, and 

 April. One exception to this rule should be stated. 

 Where trees are to be set under forest protection so 

 that they will escape any damage from frost, the 

 late fall is the best time, as trees set at that time are 

 well established and ready to start by the spring. 



In taking up the trees great care should be taken 

 to prevent breaking or bruising the roots. As 

 many roots as possible should be taken up. If the 

 distance from the nursery to the site of the grove 

 be short, and the nursery rows have been well ma- 

 nured with muck, and the ground is wet at the 

 time of lifting the trees from the nursery, much of 

 the soil can be taken along with the roots. Imme- 

 diately on lifting the roots from the ground they 

 should be trimmed with a sharp knife wherever they 

 are found to have been bruised or broken. The 

 lower part of the tap-root also should be cut off to 

 prevent its doubling up on being reset. Twelve or 

 eighteen inches is sufficiently long for the tap-root. 

 Put the tree under shade, and cover the roots with 

 wet moss as soon as possible. Do not allow the 

 fibrous roots to dry, as they are very delicate and 



