120 IMPORTANT TIMBER TREES 



directly underneath the seed to arrest the downward course 

 of the root. Another is to use an implement similar to that 

 employed by nurserymen when taking up fruit trees, which 

 consists of a horizontal knife run several inches below the 

 surface and severing the tap-root, the depth of the knife 

 varying with the character of the root system of the tree. 

 The seedlings can then be allowed to remain another year 

 and throw out lateral roots, and thus avoid the necessity of 

 removal to the transplant nursery ; but none have proved 

 successful except at too great cost. Under favorable condi- 

 tions, and with the greatest care, except in the case of the 

 species noted, successfully growing tap-rooted trees and 

 establishing them in the forest rarely occurs. Some practi- 

 cally refuse to grow at all, and but few of them will grow 

 vigorously for several years after removal into the forest, 

 and even in such cases there is much time lost at the very 

 best. The only valid reason for adhering to the practice, 

 even with the least stubborn ones, is to get the plant far 

 enough advanced to withstand the encroachment of such 

 companions as may surround it in early life in its forest 

 home, and it is very doubtful if anything is gained in the 

 end. As this peculiarity of root growth will be noted when 

 considering the several species of our important timber 

 trees, and suggestions made regarding the proper treatment 

 when endeavoring to cultivate such species as possess them, 

 further reference to it here is unnecessary. 



