Transplanting. 63 



uruised or wounded parts, where cut with the spade, should be 

 pared off smoothly, to prevent decay, and to enable them to heal 

 over by granulations during the growth of the tree. Then dip 

 them in a bed of mud, which will coat every part over evenly, and 

 leave no portion in contact with air, which accidentally might not 

 be reached by the earth in filling the hole. The bed of mud is 

 quickly made by pouring into a hole a pail of water, and mixing it 

 with the soil. 



Setting the tree. It should not be set deeper than it stood before 

 removal. Setting it upon the surface of the ground without any 

 hole, and placing a bed of fine earth upon the roots to the usual 

 depth, is preferable, and on shallow or unprepared soils, or such as 

 are quite clayey and rather wet, has been quite successful. When 

 placed in the unfilled hole, if it is found to be too deeply sunk, a 

 mound or hillock is to be made under the centre to raise it suffi- 

 ciently, and the roots separated and extended to their full length. 

 Fine rich mould is then to be sprinkled or sifted over, taking care 

 to fill all the interstices, and using the fingers to spread out all the 

 fibres during the operation. The mellow earth should rise two or 

 three inches above the surrounding surface, to allow for its subse- 

 quent settling. 



In nearly all soils, the use of water in settling the earth among the 

 roots will be found eminently serviceable. Dashing in a few quarts 

 before the hole is quite filled is the more common way ; but an 

 admirable mode is to settle the fine earth as it is constantly sifted 

 in, by a regular shower from the watering-pot, one man holding the 

 tree, a second filling in the earth, and the third applying the water. 

 By this process the roots are not disturbed in their position, and 

 every cavity about them is filled in the most perfect manner. The 

 trees will be found to maintain their position better than when pul- 

 verized earth alone is used ; for although they may at first be easily 

 moved while surrounded by the half-liquid mass, in a few hours 

 the earth around them will absorb the superabundant moisture, and 

 they will become as firm as when they have stood for weeks in their 

 new position. 



Stiffening against the wind. Newly-planted trees, being acled 

 on as levers by the wind, often press aside the earth about their 

 stems, and make, an opening down to the roots, which in conse- 

 quence suffer from both drouth and disturbance. There are two 

 ways to prevent this disaster. In autumn transplanting, the best 

 way is to embank a mound of earth about the stems, from ten to 

 eighteen inches high, as the size of the tree may require, Fig. 82. 



