SOIL AND PLAXTIXG. 25 



the time the buds commence perceptibly to swell; fit that 

 period the trees, when transplanted, start immediately into 

 action and perform their functions in the new soil ; on the 

 other hand, the peculiar fleshy texture of the roots renders 

 them remarkably impatient of being in a state of inactivi- 

 ty at such a period, and they will frequently perish from 

 this cause, as is instanced in very early spring planting. 



The tenacity of life in the Coniferaa is certainly less than 

 in most deciduous trees ; therefore great care should be 

 taken to always preserve the roots fresh and moist, when 

 out of the ground. They evince at this critical season a 

 strong desire for moisture, not only at their roots, but 

 over their whole foliage. Trees, when removed during 



j * fj 



rainy weather, always succeed better than during a dry 

 season. 



Another evil practice is the careless manner in which 

 trees are too frequently taken up, sufficient care not being 

 exercised to preserve the root fibres, as many ignorant 

 gardeners deem the larger roots sufficient to maintain the 

 life of the tree. In regard to this practice, Lindley says : 

 "It would be the duty.of the gardener to save every mi- 

 nute fibre of the roots, if it were practicable ; but as this 

 is not the case, his care must be confined to lifting his 

 trees with the least possible destruction of those important 

 organs ; remembering always that it is not by the coarse, 

 old, Avoody roots that the absorption of food is carried on, 

 but by the younger parts." Now, when these small root- 

 lets are cut off by the spade during the digging process, 

 every one so destroyed removes one of the vital organs 

 of the tree, and lessens its chances of living. 



After removing a tree that has been growing in a situ- 

 ation for one year, the ends of all such cut roots will be 

 found supplied with a new set of fibres ; plainly showing 

 that nature has endeavored to return to her fixed laws, 

 relative to the growth of plants. 



An error into which many unpractised planters frequont- 

 2 



