Transplanting. 65 



as the peach and apricot, generally succeed best if set in spring, 

 unless in a warm, dry soil, in a sheltered place, and in a climate not 

 severe. It may be added, that soils rather wet, or liable to become 

 soaked with water before freezing, should never receive trees in 

 autumn. The rule should be carried one step farther ; such soils 

 should never be set with trees at all. They are unfit until well 

 drained. Much of the " bad luck " that occurs, is from wet sub- 

 soils. 



As a general rule, all hardy trees are best set in autumn, if soil, 

 aspect, and climate are favorable. They get an earlier start in 

 spring. 



It is commonly best to dig up trees in the autumn from nurseries 

 in any case, whether for fall or spring setting. If sent long dis- 

 tances, they will be on hand and may be set out early. They may 

 be heeled in, and be more effectually secured from freezing, than if 

 standing in the nursery rows. In heeling in, select; a dry, clean, 

 mellow piece of ground, with no grass near to invite mice ; dig a 

 wide trench, lay in the roots sloping (Fig. 86), and cover them and 

 half the stems with fine mellow earth ; Jill in carefully and solid all 

 the interstices among the roots; doing this work imperfectly often 

 results in loss ; if well performed, it never can. If much danger is 

 feared from mice, it is better to place the trees erect in the 

 trench (Fig. 87), and round up the whole surface about them ; but, 

 being more exposed in this position, they should be placed in a 

 sheltered situation from the winds. 



Fig. 86. Fig. 87. 



Heeling-in sloping. Heeling-in ereEl. 



With the precautions above mentioned, it is, however, a matter 

 of small consequence at which season trees are put out, provided 

 the work is well done. It is at least a hundred times more impor- 

 tant to give them good mellow cultivation afterwards. Here is 



