58 ARBOR DAY 



either one of the others it is worthy of consideration. 

 With this character and both the others it may be 

 classed among the best for transplanting in school 

 grounds. 



Theoretically, trees may be transplanted late in 

 autumn, after active growth has practically ceased, 

 or early in spring before it has been renewed. The 

 argument in favor of fall planting is that the rains 

 of winter and early spring settle and compact the 

 soil about the roots of the transplanted tree so that 

 it is in excellent condition to begin growth as soon 

 as the weather is favorable in spring. On the other 

 hand, common practice sanctions the transplanting 

 of trees in spring, and the designation of Arbor Day 

 in spring presumes that this is at least a proper time 

 for this work. Besides, it is possible so to do the 

 work that it may not be necessary to wait for rain 

 to settle the earth about the roots. It is very evi- 

 dent of course that a very young tree may be more 

 easily and more successfully transplanted than an 

 old one. A mere seedling scarcely a year old may be 

 so carefully removed with the soil undisturbed about 

 its roots and set in another place that it will scarcely 

 suffer any check in its growth. But such seedlings 

 are scarcely fit to be transplanted to school grounds. 

 Unless specially protected they would soon be trod- 

 den down and destroyed. As a general rule it 

 would probably be best to select trees two to four 

 feet tall for transplanting. Such trees would not 



