TRANSPLANTING 31 



be removed with it than is possible with the majority of trees and 

 shrubs. 



The occasional transplanting that young trees undergo in well- 

 managed nurseries is practised for the same reason. The shortening of 

 the roots involved by removal induces the production of a large quantity 

 of fibrous roots close to the stem, which are thus easily removed with the 

 plant. The tendency of the active fibrous roots is to spread out farther 

 and farther away from the stem, and thus enlarge the feeding-ground of 

 the tree. Consequently the longer the tree remains undisturbed, the 

 greater the proportion of them that have perforce to be sacrificed in 

 transplanting, and the greater is the risk involved in its ultimate removal. 

 In selecting trees and shrubs, but more especially trees, the experienced 

 purchaser looks askance at the plants with long clean leads and an 

 aspect of lush vigour. These things are too suggestive of undisturbed 

 roots. He prefers the short-jointed, comparatively stunted growth 

 indicative of judicious transplanting. 



Methods of Transplanting. The commonest and most simple 

 method of transplanting is to take a plant out of the earth, with as many 

 of its roots as can conveniently be saved, 'and to transfer it to its new 

 quarters nearly or quite free from soil. Trees and shrubs to be sent long 

 distances have necessarily to be dispatched in this state. For the great 

 majority of young trees and shrubs with deciduous foliage the plan is 

 perfectly safe. For evergreen shrubs that do not form close masses of 

 roots, as rhododendrons do, it is risky. And with both deciduous and 

 evergreen plants, the risk is increased the older they become and the 

 longer they remain undisturbed. 



Seedlings and cuttings removed from seed-beds, boxes, etc., to more 

 roomy quarters rarely fail if care bfe taken ; but it has to be remembered 

 that the younger and more succulent they are, the less able are they to 

 withstand dryness, exposure, and delay. Seedlings of important kinds 

 have sometimes to be transplanted whilst they are growing, and in that 

 case it is a good plan to lay them on damp moss or canvas as they are 

 taken up. After ttiey are replanted they should be watered thoroughly, 

 and occasionally sprinkled afterwards if they show signs of drooping. 

 But with the seedlings of most deciduous hardy trees and shrubs it is 

 best,- and usually most convenient, to transplant them in open weather 

 sometime between the fall of the leaf and the renewal of growth. (See 

 notes on time for transplanting.) 



When the removal of a plant has been decided on, it will be 

 incumbent to decide also whether a proportion of the soil in which it is 

 growing shall be carried with it, or whether it shall be taken with naked 

 roots only. Several circumstances will have to be considered, such as 

 the nature of the plant, the distance it has to be taken, the labour and 



