10 FRUIT-GARDENING. 



descriptions of trees may be transplanted with safety, even 

 when far advanced in growth. When trees of four or five 

 years' growth, after having been headed down, that are healthy, 

 and well furnished with fruit-bearing wood close up to the 

 centre of the tree, can be obtained, they will do very well ; but 

 great care is requisite in taking up, removing, and planting 

 such. Let the tree be taken up with as great a portion of the 

 roots as possible, taking care not to bruise, split, or damage 

 them ; for want of attention to these points, trees often become 

 diseased. Whenever any roots have been accidentally broken, 

 split, or otherwise damaged in taking up the tree, let them be 

 cut off; or if they cannot be well spared, let the damaged or 

 bruised part be pared clean with a sharp knife, and a portion 

 of grafting-wax be spread over the wound, in order to keep 

 the wet from it, which would otherwise injure the tree. 



The necessity of pruning-in and dressing mangled roots is 

 particularly required in trees of the stone fruit, such as Apri- 

 cots, Nectarines, Peaches, and Plums ; for without the appli- 

 cation of some remedy, they gum at the roots, which defect, 

 if not counteracted, very materially injures the upper part of 

 the trees, which may become so affected as never to recover 

 afterwards ; therefore, great care should be taken not to occa- 

 sion such injury ; and when accidents happen, all due caution 

 and application are necessary to promote a healthy and vigor- 

 ous growth. 



A young tree, likely to do well, should have roots nearly 

 corresponding to the branches; at least, it should have one 

 strong root in a similar proportion to the bole of the tree, with 

 a proper distribution of branching fibres. Healthy roots are 

 always smooth and clear ; their color varies a little according 

 to the kind of tree ; but the older the roots are, the darker the 

 color is. 



After the tree is taken up, be careful, in conveying it to the 

 place where it is to be planted, that the roots are not chafed 

 or rubbed. If trees are to be conveyed to a considerable dis- 

 tance, they should be well guarded by straw, or otherwise, in 



