SEEDLINGS OP CONIFER^. 63 



and the growth of their lower branches be discouraged, 

 and the leading shoots preserved instead ; but if the 

 plants are intended for ornamental purposes, or to be set 

 out as wind-breaks, screens, or in hedge-rows, low, stocky 

 trees will be preferable, and the growth of the lower 

 branches should be encouraged. An occasional cutting- 

 in of the terminal shoots of the young trees, and trans- 

 planting every two or three years allowing plenty of room 

 for each to spread itself in all directions will greatly facil- 

 itate the production of fine specimens for ornamentation, 

 and that will fully meet the requirements of the planter. 



The time at which to give the proper shape or the form 

 desired is when transplanting, and with the exception 

 perhaps of the pines, it may be done without regard to the 

 position of the buds on the stems. The young trees may 

 also be pruned at other times, but this will be done 

 mainly by pinching off the young succulent shoots in 

 summer, shortening those that push out to an unusual 

 length, or at points where, if left unchecked, would give 

 the tree an unsymmetrical form. 



In removing evergreens from the nursery to forest 

 plantations, a little more care is required than in handling 

 deciduous trees, because the foliage of the former is always 

 present, through which evaporation of the juices of the 

 tree takes place to a limited extent, even during what is 

 termed the dormant period, and the foliage suffers if the 

 roots are long exposed to the light and a dry atmosphere. 

 The holes made for the reception of the roots of trans- 

 planted trees should always be of sufficient size to admit 

 of placing them in a natural extended position, and if 

 considerable larger it will be better than to have them in 

 the least cramped or crowded, and as a rule the roots 

 should not be buried any deeper than they were before 

 the tree was transplanted. Of course an inch or two of 

 extra depth may be allowed for the usual settling of the 

 recently disturbed soil. 



