202 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



much even a few fine trees increase their value, they would 

 never neglect to plant, if for no other view than a pecuniary 

 result. 



Our object now is one of practical interest ; to offer some 

 few hints in reference to planting evergreens, that greater 

 success may attend the efforts of all those who wish to im- 

 prove their grounds for mere ornamental effect alone. The 

 great losses which too often attend the labors of those who 

 plant is the cause of much disappointment, and to remove 

 any obstacles in the way of satisfactory results, is the inten- 

 tion of our present remarks. 



By common consent, the spring appears to be the season 

 generally chosen for transplanting evergreen trees. In our 

 last volume we discussed the correctness of this custom, and 

 we have yet to learn that it is founded on sound theory. 

 But, admitting it to be correct, and that April and May are, 

 on the whole, certainly as safe months to plant as any in the 

 year, what those, at least, who are inexperienced would be 

 glad to know is, how best to perform the operation of trans- 

 planting so as to secure the greatest success. We shall briefly 

 give some advice how to proceed. 



The scarcity of fine evergreen trees in our nurseries, here- 

 tofore, and the high price demanded for them, compared with 

 those gathered direct from the woods and forests, has induced 

 many individuals to purchase the latter ; but the losses which 

 have been sustained with such trees have been so great, that all 

 well-informed planters now consider them almost as worthless, 

 when properly cultivated nursery trees can be procured. A 

 little reflection will convince any one that a tree dug up 

 directly from the forest cannot be in a fit condition to trans- 

 plant successfully ; but as in so many instances they have 

 what are termed balls of earth (i. e. sod) attached to the 

 roots, purchasers are misled, and do not find out their mis- 

 take till too late. Such trees, taken very small, and very 

 carefully planted, will, in time, what may survive of them, 

 make good trees : but the labor is too great for the amateur 

 to commence with these, and if he wishes for immediate 

 benefit he must purchase well-grown, and well-rooted speci- 



