138 GARDENING FOK THE SOUTH. 



Preparation of Trees for Transplanting. As a rule, 

 there is little gained by planting out large trees. Small 

 trees, as Downing remarks, can be taken up with a system 

 of roots and branches entire, while the older and larger 

 tree, losing a part of its roots, requires years to resume 

 its former vigor. Trees, transplanted while small, will 

 prove more healthy, vigorous, and enduring ; but some- 

 times, for immediate effect, or to preserve a favorite tree, 

 it is necessary to transplant it when of larger size. This 

 is done by shortening in the leading roots at a distance 

 from the trunk, varying with the size of the tree to be 

 operated upon. A circular trench is dug in spring or be- 

 fore mid-summer around the whole mass of roots, partially 

 undermining them and cutting off all that extend into the 

 trench, which is dug at such a distance from the tree that 

 it encloses a sufficient ball of roots ; the trench may be 

 filled with poor earth, or covered with plank. The tree 

 will be checked somewhat, and will fill the ball around it 

 with a mass of fibrous roots, and in the proper season can 

 be moved with safety. Many trees naturally tap-rooted, 

 and evergreens difficult to transplant, are, by being trans- 

 planted annually or biennially from their seedling state, 

 compelled to throw out a mass of fibrous roots, retain- 

 ing among them a ball of earth, and are thus ready to be 

 moved at any time without danger. 



It is often desirable to plant fruit trees before the leaves 

 naturally fall, in seasons when autumn frosts are unusually 

 late. A week or two before the trees are to be taken up, 

 pluck from them every leaf, and allow them to remain and 

 ripen their wood. After this time they can be taken up, 

 packed, and sent safely long distances without shriveling. 

 Meanwhile the ground should be prepared, the holes made, 

 and, after pruning, plant them out, giving them a good 

 watering before the last soil is thrown in. In this way, 

 where much planting is to be done, a month's time in au- 

 tumn is gained. 



