TRANSPLANTING OF EVERGREENS. 23 



November provided it be gloomy. Avoid a clear 

 frost as you would the fire of the dog-days. After 

 some mornings of rime, when you are sure of a 

 week of wet weather, seize the amiable opportunity; 

 and surely not a little may be said for on occu- 

 pation that can make a November drizzle more 

 cheering than the sunny dews of May. It is not 

 intended that this is the best time for lifting; the 



O 



more delicate evergreens; but hollys, though by 

 mismanagement the most readily lost, are not 

 delicate; and this is the season which best secures 

 all advantages to that plant; its last year's growth 

 is perfectly ripened, and not one shoot will hang 

 its head. In a dryer season of the year, every 

 thing newly transplanted requires frequent water- 

 ing, the trouble of which, in this case, may as well 

 be spared, and which, however liberal, never equals 

 the natural moisture; and by the prevalence of the 

 winter and spring rains, the roots get thoroughly 

 e.ncased in the soil before the period of growth 

 returns. I venture to assert that, by properly 

 conducting the removal of hollys and other hardy 

 evergreens in this month you will not be able to 

 pick up one fallen leaf, of one of a hundred plants, 

 before you see the young fresh buds of the following 

 spring. 



Have near the scene of your operations a plenti- 

 ful supply of water, as many small pointed stakes 

 as you have plants to lift, and a large clue of 

 oakum the shop name for single but strong 

 threads of hemp saturated with tar. Have, at 



