TRANSPLANTING LARGE TREES. 41 



face of the ground was left concave a little above and 

 a little below the stem of the tree, with cavities for 

 the water, which gradually sinks down upon the 

 extremities of the roots. When once the tree is 

 fairly established beyond the requirement of artificial 

 watering, the ground may be levelled up and turfed 

 over. 



In 1858 the writer had a number of spruces lifted 

 and transplanted which were dug round the year 

 before preparatory to transplanting. They were from 

 6 to 8 feet high when lifted, and were in a compara- 

 tively rapid state of growth, making annually top- 

 shoots from 16 to 20 inches. On examination of the 

 trees five years subsequently, we were considerably 

 disappointed at their unfavourable condition. Though 

 all vital, not one of them was growing fast, the greater 

 number making top-shoots from only 5 to 8 inches, 

 while the foliage was poor and of a light colour. The 

 only assignable cause for the decrease of growth may 

 be ascribed to having grown originally in a soft spongy 

 soil approaching to moss, and their roots, being formed 

 agreeable to that situation, were not adapted to their 

 new one, they having, as it were, acquired a sort of 

 aquatic habit, and having now no further means of 

 thus sustaining themselves, relapsed into their present 

 languishing state. 



From the above and other instances that might be 

 cited, it appears absolutely necessary that due regard 

 should be paid to the food a plant is accustomed to, so 

 that, in transplanting it to a new situation, a similar 

 provision shall be made for it. Allowance also should 

 be made for any adverse change or influence that had 

 been brought to bear against the plant. It should, for 

 a time at least, have better food than previously accus- 



