TRANSPLANTING. 63 



upon circumstances. If the soil has been already 

 rendered fertile and mellow to the depth of nearly 

 a foot, very large holes are not needed. But 

 where this has not, or cannot he done, holes not 

 less than six feet in diameter and fifteen inches 

 deep should be made. The soil should be placed 

 by the hole ready for filling in again ; and the less 

 fertile subsoil scattered back out .of the way. If 

 this large hole is. then filled with tich mellow 

 mould, it will form a fine bed for the easy and rapid 

 extension of the new roots, which otherwise would 

 have to force their way slowly through a hard sub- 

 soil. The resulting advantages, in thriftiness and 

 fine fruit, will many times repay the cost of the ad- 

 ditional labor. 



Fresh manure should never come in contact with 

 the roots ; but earth enriched by previous manur- 

 ing and cultivation, is of very great advantage. 



Much discussion has taken place on the relative 

 advantages of autumn and spring transplanting. 

 When the work is well done, as it always should 

 be, both are successful. For apple and other hardy 

 trees, autumn is perhaps rather the best, as the soil 

 becomes well settled about the roots, and the trees 

 commence growing without interruption in spring.* 



* The remark of Dr. Lindley that early fall transplanting 

 is decidedly best, by permitting the formation of small roots 

 and a consequent establishment of the tree in the soil before 

 winter, though applicable to the moist climate and long- mild 

 autumns of England, is not so here, where the growth while 



