TRANSPLANTING LARGE TREES. 7 
firm in their places until fibrous roots obtain a better hold 
of the soil than they had when first planted. The oscillat- 
ing of the stem displaces the roots, and though but little, 
it will often be sufficient to break the connection of the 
young rootlets with the soil, thereby cutting off the sources 
through which food must come. To prevent this, a great 
variety of means have been employed. The usual method 
is to plant a stake with the tree, reaching several feet up 
the stem, and make the two fast together with some bark, 
straw, or soft rope. Sometimes two stakes are employed. 
being driven a foot or more from the tree on opposite sides, 
and the tree made fast to these with rope or straw ties. 
Another method is to drive four stakes on opposite sides 
and several feet from the tree, and from these extend a 
strong wire to the upper portions of the stem. This, with- 
‘out doubt, is the surest means of keeping the tree in its 
place, and especially for those kinds which have few if any 
large roots. But it must be remembered that plants as 
well as animals need exercise, and no tree will remain 
healthy or grow as vigorously in a position where it can 
not have the exercises which Nature designed it should, 
though it is very probable that depriving the stem for one 
season of the slight movement which it naturally receives 
would not injure it to any conceivable amount. But these 
appliances are not very ornamental, and are sometimes 
very inconvenient, especially when you wish to cultivate 
the ground about the tree, which should be done the first 
year after planting, if no longer. I have practiced the fol- 
lowing method of staking large trees that have strong 
lateral roots, and find it answers the purpose better than 
Q* 
