FEBRUARY. 287 



FEBRUARY. 



Much of the labor of this month will depend greatly on 

 the weather ; if cold or wet little can be done, with the 

 exception of transplanting ornamental trees and shrubs, 

 such as Roses, Syringas, Persian, and other Lilacs, Paeo- 

 neas, Arbor Vitses, &c. This should be attended to so soon 

 as the frost is out of the ground, and their respiratory organs 

 begin to put out. In transplanting Roses it is necessary to cut 

 them down to within one foot of the ground, as in remov- 

 ing them many of the spongioles of the root are destroyed 

 (an unavoidable occurrence) ; deprived of this essential to 

 maintain the whole wood after removal, they lose the prin- 

 ciple of life, and in most cases, by not attending to the prun- 

 ing, the tree lingers, and finally dies. When pruned as 

 directed, there is less sap to be supplied, and as the leaves 

 and root depend on each other for support, there is enough 

 left to equalize each other, and on their being re-established 

 the growth is abundant and healthy. 



In removing evergreen trees, the Arbor Vitas, for instance, 

 their roots do not diverge far from the main body ; being 

 more compact, the main body of the roots can be removed 

 without causing much injury ; but if disturbed as much as 

 deciduous shrubs, in their removal, nothing will restore 

 them to their former vigor and beauty. This is one cause 

 of so much failure in trees purchased in the markets, 

 brought from the mountainous regions. By paying a trifle 

 more, better trees could be purchased of nurserymen, with 

 a warranty. 



