ON THE CULTIVATION OF TREES. 319 



or a pole ; which, though it may throw out branches, will 

 never have the free, natural character of its species. Is 

 it not, therefore, far preferable to run some trifling risk 

 of losing them, rather than mutilate them in so barbarous 

 a manner ? 



Mrs. B. I perfectly agree with you : besides, the risk 

 is so trifling. In transplanting trees into the botanical 

 garden at Geneva, the branches are never lopped, and 

 only about five per cent die ; yet the chance of their per- 

 ishing must greatly exceed that of common transplanta- 

 tions, as the trees come from foreign climates, and are 

 placed in a soil and temperature more or less unsuited to 

 them ; besides which, they have undergone the confine- 

 ment of packing, and the fatigues of a long journey. It 

 must, however, be acknowledged, that the art of packing 

 and conveying plants is highly improved ; for M. De Can- 

 dolle frequently receives plants, not only in leaf, but in 

 full blossom. 



If. however, gardeners will persevere in this system of 

 lopping, they should at least do it with moderation and 

 judgment. 



Emily. There is, however, some apology for nursery 

 gardeners : the trees, in their grounds, are so thickly 

 planted, that they cannot be taken up without injury to 

 their own roots, or to those of their neighbors ; and if the 

 roots be cut, is it not necessary also to lop the branches, for 

 mutilated roots can ill supply the whole of the branches 

 with nourishment ? 



Mrs. B. Your observation is very just ; but young 

 trees, raised with a view to transplantation, should never 

 be allowed to grow so thickly, as to interfere with each 

 other ; it is the duty of a nurseryman to transplant them 

 in his own grounds, in order to give them space, if he 

 has not a market for them elsewhere. 



When a very large tree is to be transplanted, it is ad- 

 visable to do it in the heart of winter, during a frost ; a 

 trench should be dug around, and, as far as attainable, 

 below the stem of the tree, and be filled with water, if the 

 rain does not sufficiently perform that office. When the 

 water is frozen, the tree will be inclosed, as it were, in a 



1723. What objection is there to this method of securing the life of 

 trees'? 1724. What is said of transplanting trees in Geneva! 1725. 

 If trees are to be lopped, how should it be donel 1726. How may 

 the evil from nursery plants growing too near together, be remedied! 

 1727. If a large tree is to be transplanted, when should it be douel 



