66 TRANSPLANTING. 



of growing. They may be often saved however, 

 by burying them wholly in the earth, until they 

 become plump by the absorption of moisture into 

 the stem and branches. Some put the trees in wa- 

 ter half way up the stems for a day or so. 



The question is often asked, How large may 

 young fruit trees be, for safe removal? This de- 

 pends very much on their management previously, 

 as well as at the time of the operation. If they 

 have been occasionally transplanted while yet in 

 the nursery, thus shortening the long roots, and in- 

 creasing in number the short ones, they are easily 

 taken up without mutilation, and the danger is 

 greatly lessened in every case. Trees of small or 

 moderate size, meet with little check in growth, 

 where this preparatory work has been performed ; 

 and those much larger are transplanted with safety, 

 whose size would otherwise almost preclude it. In 

 some European nurseries, it is common to keep 

 fruit trees until they bear, keeping the roots short, 

 so that the purchaser examines the fruit on the tree, 

 when he makes a selection. 



The apprehended danger from transplanting 

 trees may be exceedingly reduced, if not Avholly 

 removed, by an attention to the requisites already 

 laid down, viz : 



1. Carefully digging up the tree. 



2. Pruning off all bruised parts. 



3. Immersing the roots in mud. 



