TRANSPLANTING 



for taking up water is mostly destroyed until some new 

 roots are formed. Transplanting, as commonly per- 

 formed, is therefore a dangerous operation for the plant. 

 If the following rules are observed, however, the plant 

 seldom fails to grow. 



FIG. 44. Roots of oat 

 plant. 



FIG. 45. Oat plant with 

 fine roots broken off. 



( i ) Trees and shrubs that drop their leaves in autumn 

 should be transplanted only while their leaves are off . 

 We learned in Lesson 3 that the water taken up by the 

 roots is mostly transpired through the leaves. A tree or 

 shrub without leaves needs very little water, because it 

 transpires very little. Damage to the roots when the 

 leaves are off is far less serious than when the plant is in 

 full leaf. In climates having wet falls and mild winters, 

 trees and shrubs are better transplanted in the fall; in 

 other climates, spring is the better time. 



