TRANSPLANTING. 73 



much larger may be successfully removed if they have been 

 previously prepared by shortening the long roots to induce 

 the emission of a mass of smaller fibres near the centre or stem. 

 This is done one year previously, by running a spade into the 

 earth in a circle about the foot of the stem, if the tree yet 

 stands in the nursery, or by cutting a circular trench around 

 the tree if it is a large standard in open ground. 



SUMMARY OF ESSENTIALS FOR TRANSPLANTING. 



1. A previous preparation of a rich deep bed of mellow earth 

 to receive the roots, and land which cannot be water-soaked. 



2. Removing the tree with little mutilation of the roots. 



3. Paring off the bruised parts. 



4. Shortening-in the head, in a greater or less degree (before 

 the buds swell), to correspond with the necessary loss of roots. 



5. Immersing the roots in mud. 



6. Filling the fine earth carefully among the roots, spread- 

 ing them all out with the fingers. 



7. Planting little or no deeper than before. 



8. Staking or embanking, when necessary, to prevent injury 

 by the wind. 



9. Watering the stems and branches only, before the appear- 

 ance of the leaf. 



10. Mulching, where danger of midsummer drouth is feared. 



The following additional rules, self-evident to men of expe- 

 rience, are continually disregarded by novices in setting out 

 orchards and fruit gardens : 



1. If the roots of a tree are frozen out of the ground, and 

 thawed again in contact with air, the tree is killed. 



2. If the frozen roots are well buried, filling all cavities before 

 thawing any at all, the tree is uninjured. 



3. Manure should never be placed in contact with the roots 

 of a tree, in setting it out, but old finely pulverized earthy com- 

 post answers well. 



4. A small or moderate sized tree at the time of transplant- 

 ing will usually become large and bearing sooner than a larger 

 tree set out at the same time, and which is checked in growth 

 by removal. 



5. To guard against mice in winter with perfect success, 



