18 



is 110 doubt that the younger the tree the less risk there is in removing 

 it, But the early return to be gathered from these sour stumps, bud- 

 ded either before or after removal, will justify the risk in planting a 

 few in every new grove, and if the stumps can be bought at a fair 

 price and are near at hand, so as not to be damaged in transporting 

 them, the grower would do well to plant them liberally. In trans- 

 planting sour stumps too much care can not be exercised. 



Many of the wild groves are found in low wet laud. The tap- 

 root is small and the laterals near the surface, while reaching a consid- 

 erable distance, have few or no fibrous roots near the base of the tree. 

 They have also been accustomed to an abundance of shade and mois- 

 ture. One must see at once that new and entirely different habits must 

 be formed by such trees transplanted into a dryer soil and with less 

 shade and moisture. These new habits have to be formed at a time 

 whenthe tree is least able to bear the change. It is better to select 

 trees grown in a dryer soil. I have, however, succeeded in transplant- 

 ing trees from a swamp, at the time of taking them up, flooded with 

 water. Some such are now healthy and tine bearers. 



In taking up large sour trees have at hand a sharp axe, a sharp 

 narrow bladed saw and two sharp spades prepared especially for such 

 work. The spades should be made to order, narrower than usual, with 

 handle and jaws sufficiently stout to be used in prying. With such 

 tools the work will be greatly expedited and done much more satisfac- 

 torily. The time saved in one day's work with such tools will pay for 

 their cost. 



If ready to begin, saw off the top, leaving a stump five or six feet 

 high to be used as a lever for bending the tree out of its bed. Now 

 drive down the spade cutting the roots in a circle two feet and a half 

 from the base or trunk. Shake the tree to see if all the lateral roots 

 have been cut. If not it will be necessary to cut a trench the width 

 of the spade to enable you to cut deeper. In making the second cut, 

 incline the point of the spade towards the tap-root. Next cut the tap- 

 root two feet and a half from the surface and lift the stump from its 

 bed. Place the stumps at once in the shade and wrap them well with 

 wet, green moss. Protect as far as possible from the sun and drying 

 winds. After taking a stump from the soil plant it in position as soon 



