328 TRANSPLANTING AND PLANTING. 



pine and fir tribe ; but it should not be neglected in any class of plants 

 whatever. It frequently happens, that the roots of pines and firs, which 

 have been three or four years in pots, when stretched out, are six or eight 

 feet in length ; and these ought to be planted in a shallow pit, not less 

 than from twelve to sixteen feet in diameter. On the other hand, in places 

 of limited extent, where it is desirable to keep trees and shrubs of diminu- 

 tive size, they may be planted in the pots, or with the balls undisturbed, 

 in order to keep them stunted or dwarfed. 



735. Watering, mulching, and staking newly-planted plants should, in 

 general, never be neglected where the plants are of large size ; not so much 

 to supply moisture to the fibres, as to consolidate the soil about the roots ; 

 and in the case of evergreens, which are all the year in a growing state, 

 it should be copiously supplied (718) for both purposes. Where it is con- 

 sidered requisite to continue the watering after the plant has been planted, 

 a pan or basin should be formed round it, of somewhat larger diameter than 

 the pit in which the plant was placed, into which the water may be poured 

 so as to ensure its descent to the roots. To lessen evaporation from this 

 basin, or from the soil round newly-planted plants, it may be mulched ; that 

 is, covered with any loose open material, such as litter, leaves, or spent 

 tanners' bark ; or, in firm soil, with reversed turf, small stones, large 

 gravel, or tiles. The last three materials have the advantage of speedily 

 evaporating the water which falls on them in consequence of their smooth 

 surfaces ; and hence, they are used in the case of mulching geraniums, and 

 other tender succulent-stemmed plants, when planted out during summer, 

 to prevent their stems from rotting off between wind and water. All newly- 

 planted plants that are in danger of having their roots disturbed by the 

 wind, require to be tied to stakes, or otherwise securely fixed ; the different 

 modes of doing which have been already mentioned. The best description 

 of stake is that which, while it keeps the roots of the plant perfectly firm 

 and secure, allows the top and the upper part of the stem, supposing the 

 latter to be flexible, to be put in gentle motion by the wind. 



736. Taking up previously to planting. It must be constantly borne in 

 mind that the food of plants is taken up by the delicate extremities or spon- 

 gioles of their fibres, which the slightest tear or bruise will destroy ; that 

 these mouths will only act when the soil in which they are placed is in a 

 moist state, and that they are easily rendered useless to the plant by being 

 kept for any length of time exposed to dry air. Hence, in taking up trees, 

 and, particularly those of small size, such as are grown for sale in the nur- 

 series, the roots should be separated from the soil with the greatest care, by 

 previously loosening it at a distance from the stem, and never forcibly drawing 

 the roots out of the soil till this has been done, as is too commonly practised 

 in nurseries. It is true we cannot expect to remove all the fibres of a plant 

 of any size uninjured, but by great care we may save the principal part of 

 them. For this purpose a round-pronged blunt fork should generally be 

 used for taking up trees instead of a spade, and the roots, as soon as they are 

 out of the soil, should be covered with a mat, or some other protecting ma- 

 terial, to prevent them from being dried by the air. When a tree has 

 remained some years in the same situation, its main roots will have pene- 

 trated so deep into the soil, and its lateral roots have extended so far in a 

 horizontal direction, that both will require to be cut ; but this ought alwa.ys 

 to be done as far from the main stem of the plant as possible ; and in propor- 



