Transplanting of Large Trees. 55 



near the city of Eome. By any of these methods of carrying the 

 plants with the soil still around the roots, the operation of planting 

 may be carried on all summer, and where the climate permits, at all 

 seasons of the year. 



The Transplanting of Large Trees. 



205. This is always an expensive and uncertain operation, partic- 

 ularly with the evergreens. It is sometimes done with much success, 

 where the tree is well supplied with fibrous roots near the trunk, by 

 digging a trench around the tree at some distance, in the fall, and 

 allowing the soil to freeze into a solid mass, which may be moved 

 without separating it from the roots. In such cases,, it is sometimes 

 practiced to take off the surface soil, if not already rich, and to 

 spread in its place other soil of great fertility, and to dig and fill 

 the trench, as above described, with rich soil, a year or two before the 

 time of removal. An abundance of fine fibrous roots will form in 

 such cases in the fertile soil, which will tend to render the removal 

 more certain of success. 



206. In removing large evergreens, it is best done just as the veg- 

 etation is starting, by carefully following out and taking up the 

 roots as far as possible, and wrapping them up in wet moss or hay 

 as fast as they are taken out. When they have been thus taken 

 from the soil, and protected from the air, the tree may be drawn to 

 its new place, set upright, and well stayed; the covering should 

 then be removed from the roots, which should be carefully spread 

 out and immediately covered with fine rich damp soil. The whole 

 should be well watered as soon as the planting is finished, and from 

 time to time in dry weather, until the roots have got well started. 



207. It is generally a good rule, and in light prairie soil absolutely 

 necessary, to press down the earth firmly, not only in the hole be- 

 fore the tree is placed, but also upon the roots after planting; but 

 in heavy clay soils this would do more harm than good. As a rule, 

 the tree should be set deeper than before. The roots should not be 

 cramped or doubled back, but as wide a space should be allowed as 

 they may need, and they should be carefully spread before being 

 covered. 



208. In bracing trees, strong wire is better than cords, which are 

 apt to shrink when wet, and blocks of wood should be placed where 

 they are fastened to the tree, to prevent them from galling the bark. 



