70 OPERATIONS OF GARDENING. PART I. 



the Kains, and at the commencement of the Cold season. As 

 a general rule it may be laid down that plants natives of this 

 country are planted out most successfully just previous to their 

 breaking for their summer growth, a little after the commence- 

 ment of the Kains ; while plants natives of a colder climate, 

 and that are in the greatest vigour of growth during the Cold 

 season, as Eoses, for instance, should be planted about October. 

 Most plants of the former class may, however, be planted out 

 in February, but in that case those of a less robust habit 

 demand a vast deal of attention, both in sheltering them from 

 the sun, and in keeping them well watered during the hot 

 months. 



PREPARING THE GROUND. 



The usual method with malees, if not looked after, when 

 planting out a young shrub or fruit-tree, is to dig a hole in 

 the ground only just large enough to receive the ball of earth 

 in which the roots are contained ; whereas the proper plan is 

 to dig the hole as much as two feet in diameter, and a foot 

 and a-half deep, for moderate-sized shrubs, and proportionately 

 larger for those of a larger size and for fruit-trees. The soil 

 that is taken out should be broken up somewhat small, and 

 mixed with old stable refuse, decayed cow-dung, and rotten 

 leaves, and then thrown into the hole again. If the ground be 

 then drenched with water for a day or two previous, it will sink 

 to the level at which it will remain, and the plant may be put 

 down at once to the proper height without any fear of its crown 

 becoming buried beneath the soil by subsequent sinking, as 

 might otherwise happen. The plant should be copiously 

 watered at the time, and for some little time afterwards, when 

 the soil becomes dry. 



TKANSPLANTING. 



The following remarks by Sir J. Paxton, on the advantages 

 of transplanting, are as applicable in this country as they are in 

 Europe : 



" It is an admirable plan," says he, " to move a plant yearly from 

 place to place, so that it never remains more than one year in the 

 same spot. Each specimen should be annually shifted from the 

 precise mass of earth in which it is growing, if it he even taken to 



