100 THE PRACTICAL GARDEN -BOOK 



good results. This slight trimming is ordinarily done with 

 Waters' long-handled pruning shears. 



There is much difference of opinion as to the proper time 

 for the transplanting of Evergreens, which means that there 

 is more than one season in which they may be moved. It 

 is ordinarily unsafe to transplant them in the fall in north- 

 ern climates or bleak situations, since the evaporation from 

 the foliage during the winter is likely to injure the plant. 

 The best results are usually secured when they are trans- 

 planted just as new growth is beginning, rather late in the 

 spring. Some people also plant them in August, and the 

 roots secure a hold of the soil before winter. In transplant- 

 ing conifers, it is very important that the roots be not ex- 

 posed to the sun. They should be moistened and covered 

 with burlaps or other material. The holes should be ready 

 to receive them. If the trees are large, or if it has been 

 necessary to trim in the roots, the top should be cut when 

 the tree is set. Large Evergreens (those 10 feet and more 

 high) are usually best transplanted late in winter, at a time 

 when a large ball of earth may be moved with them. A 

 trench is dug around the tree, it being deepened a little day 

 by day so that the frost can work into the earth and hold it 

 in shape. When the ball is thoroughly frozen, it is hoisted 

 onto a stone-boat and moved to its new position. 



For low hedges or screens, one of the most serviceable 

 Evergreens is the arborvitae in its various forms. Red ce- 

 dars are also useful. Perhaps the handsomest of all of them 

 for such purposes is the ordinary hemlock spruce ; but it is 

 usually difficult to move. Transplanted trees from nurseries 

 are usually safest. If the trees are taken from the wild, 

 they should be selected from open and sunny places. For 

 neat and compact effects near porches and along walks, the 

 dwarf retinosporas are very useful. Most of the pines and 

 spruces are too coarse for planting very close to the house. 

 They are better at some distance removed, where they serve 

 as a background to other planting. If they are wanted foi 



