TRANSPLANTING SEEDLINGS. 35 



over, and was entirely obliterated in the next year or 

 two. The third season the trees were transplanted, and 

 the roots found to be very numerous and in excellent 

 condition. A few hundred of these trees I retained, and 

 set them out in nursery rows four feet apart each way, 

 where they remained three years more, at which time 

 they were ten feet high, with large spreading, handsome 

 heads, and a mass of roots that would have been pro- 

 nounced perfect by the most exacting arboriculturist. 

 A number of these trees are now growing in sight from 

 my library window, and I am quite certain that they are 

 not only larger, but more healthy and beautiful than any 

 of their companions of the same age left in the forest 

 from which they were taken. 



During the removal of trees from forests or nursery, 

 it is quite important that the roots should not be exposed 

 to drying winds or to the light, more than is necessary, 

 and they need not be so exposed over five minutes at the 

 most, when being dug up or set out. The roots should 

 be covered so soon as taken from the ground, and kept 

 moist until set out again, whether they are transported 

 a long or short distance. A good way to protect the 

 roots of trees, is to coat them with thin mud, or puddle 

 them as it is termed. A few moments' time spent in 

 making a mud hole, into which the roots are dipped as 

 dug, or soon after, will often be the means of saving 

 them and making a success of what might otherwise 

 prove a failure. 



The preceding remarks relative to pruning both roots 

 and branches, are applicable to deciduous trees only. 

 Evergreens require different treatment, and will be con- 

 sidered in another place. 



