TRANSPLANTING. 79 



been frozen, the roots should be buried as speedily as pos- 

 sible before thawing takes place, the gradual abstraction of 

 the frost by the soil being perfectly safe, in the same way 

 that it takes place every spring when the frozen roots of 

 standing trees are thawed with the thawing of the ground. 



The size for transplanting, must vary with circumstances. 

 Six to seven feet high is large enough under ordinary cir- 

 cumstances, but those much larger may be successfully re- 

 moved if they have been previously prepared by shortening 

 the long roots to induce the emission of a mass of smaller 

 fibres near the centre or stem. This is done one year pre- 

 viously, by running a spade into the earth in a circle about 

 the foot of the stem, if the tree yet stands in the nursery, or 

 by cutting a circular trench around the tree if it is a large 

 standard in open ground. 



Trees not over four or five feet high would usually suc- 

 ceed best with the usual hasty mode of digging, as a proper 

 balance between the top and the root would be more near- 

 ly preserved, the danger of dying would be lessened, and 

 the vigor of growth being less checked, they would as soon 

 attain a bearing state. 



On a review of the essential requisites for successful 

 transplanting, they may be summed up briefly as follows : 



1. A previous preparation of a rich deep bed of mellow earth 

 to receive the roots, and land which cannot be water-soaked. 



2. Removing the tree \vith as little mutilation of the roots 

 as practicable. 



3. Paring off the "bruised parts. 



4. Shortening-in the head, in a greater or less degree, to 

 correspond with the necessary loss of roots. 



5. Immersing the roots in mud. 



6. Settling the earth with water. 



7. Planting no deeper than before. 



8. Staking or embanking to prevent injury by the wind, 



9. Watering the stems and branches only, before the ap- 

 pearance of the leaf. 



10. Mulching, where danger of mid-summer drouth is 

 feared. 



they should happen to be frozen. In addition to this, they should be copiously packed 

 in damp moss, which retains moisture a long time, and does not heat. For sea- 

 voyages, however, the moss should not be damp, as the sea-air will preserve the 

 - auisite degree of humidity, which otherwise would be excessive and injurious. 



