36 



CHAPTER IX. 



t R ANSPL ANTING. 



Before the work of transplanting begins the soil for the grove 

 should be well prepared. It is most generally the case that the great 

 hurry to get the trees into the ground causes much neglect at this 

 point, but this policy is a bad one. The haste should have reference 

 to the early fruiting and rapid growth of the tree ; and they are not 

 brought about by careless preparation of the soil. The soil should be 

 deeply and thoroughly broken and the ground cleared of the roots. 

 To insure the setting of the trees a proper and uniform depth the 

 ground should be well leveled with harrow or drag. No manure 

 should be used at the time of setting, nor before, unless applied some 

 months before setting and thoroughly incorporated with the soil. 



The best time for setting trees is the late winter or early spring- 

 before the new wood has started. The ground is then cool and the 

 roots in as dormant condition as at any time during the year. It is 

 better that the ground should be wet and the setting followed by 

 showers. But wet soil is not so essential at this time of the year as it 

 is when the transplanting has been done later and the ground and sun 

 are warmer. If the work of transplanting has not been completed 

 before the warm, dry weather of Spring has set in and before new wood 

 has advanced far, it is best to defer the work till the frequent showers 

 of August and September begin to fall. Good results sometimes fol- 

 low Slimmer, Fall, and Winter planting, but these seasons are not so 

 good as the months of February, March and April. One exception to 

 this rule should be stated. Where trees are to be set under forest 

 protection so that they will escape any damage from frost, the late Fall 

 is the best time, as trees set at that time are well established and ready 

 to start by the Spring. 



In taking up the trees great care should be taken to prevent 

 breaking or bruising the roots. As many roots as possible should 

 be taken up. If the distance from the nursery to the site of the 

 j*rove be short, and the nursery rows have been well manured 

 with muck, and the ground is wet at the time of lifting the 



