METHODS AND PRACTICE 169 



over the tirst two or three years. It is still more 

 important when expensive species are being used. 



To clearly understand transplanting faihires or suc- 

 cesses it is necessary to glance at the condition of various 

 forms of vegetation during the winter months. The rest- 

 ing stage of most plants is determined by their inability 

 to withstand certain climatic phases or conditions in a 

 growing or actively functional state. Many bulbous plants, 

 for instance, like the snowdrop, crocus, hyacinth, etc., or 

 herbaceous plants of various kinds, remain dormant during 

 the summer, and commence growth in midwinter or early 

 spring, when woody plants are still dormant. Trans- 

 planting of these species must, therefore, be undertaken in 

 autumn, unless special precautions are taken in moving 

 them. Herbaceous plants generally commence growth in 

 March and April, and can usually be moved safely until 

 the shoots and leaves are developed, or attain a length of 

 six inches or so, after Avhich interference with the roots is 

 injurious. The dormant condition of both the above 

 types is characterised by the death of the portion above 

 ground, as by such means their permanent organs are 

 best protected against drought and desiccation when the 

 soil is frozen in winter, and the temperature too low for 

 root action to proceed. The roots formed during the 

 previous growing season also die back, and the vital part 

 of the organism is limited to the base of the stem, or 

 some modified form of stem or root. 



Woody plants, on the other hand, which produce 

 perennial or persistent parts above ground, have adopted 

 special devices for withstanding cold whenever the winter 

 temperature drops far below freezing point. With a few 

 exceptions, all cold-climate plants are either deciduous or 

 coniferous, and both these groups prepare for cold weather 

 by ceasing growth in autumn, and forming winter buds 

 at their growing points. This cessation of growth is also 



