TRANSPLANTING. 185 



tion, than if the roots are put into a hole with none of the 

 surrounding soil loosened. The soil ought also be enriched 

 with fine manure, but no coarse, unfermented manures 

 should be applied where they will come in contact with 

 the roots. When the ground is in a suitable condition, 

 holes should be dug for the reception of the roots of the 

 plants. These had better be made square than round, as 

 a large hole in that form can be sooner made. The diam- 

 eter should be such that it will receive all the roots when 

 fully extended. The holes should be made too large rather 

 than too small. In digging the holes, throw out the best 

 soil on one side and the poor on the opposite. If the 

 ground has been prepared deeply, the holes may be made 

 just deep enough to receive the roots, which, in some cases, 

 are spindle-shaped and extend downwards to a considera- 

 ble depth, and in others run along the surface. For most 

 plants the hole should be deeper at the sides than at the 

 centre, leaving the bottom convex and not basin-shaped. 

 It should have the bottom soil loosened, and in dry weather 

 be watered, but the water should be allowed to subside so 

 as to be moist, not wet, at the time of planting. It should 

 be left of such depth in all good soils, that the neck of the 

 plant may be as near the surface as before, or but a trifle 

 above ; but in clayey soils, ill drained, let it be somewhat 

 above on a broad, slightly elevated mound. 



Taking up the Plants* In this operation avoid injury 

 to the roots ; with the utmost care they will be mutilated. 

 A little attention will save a year's growth to a tree. The 

 roots are of two kinds, the main roots which support the 

 plant in the earth, and the small branching or fibrous roots, 

 the fresh tips and numerous fibrils or root hairs of which 

 supply it with nourishment. These parts are of great 

 delicacy, and if injured or broken off, the plant must throw 

 out others, or perish for want of nourishment. These 

 fibrous roots are the ones most likely to be destroyed or 

 injured in taking up, and in replanting to be squeezed be- 



