'Transplanting Trees 



[\. Be sure that the surface soil is hoarded at one side when 

 the hole is dug. This soil is mellow and full of plant food. The 

 under soil is more barren and harder. Some rich garden soil 

 can well be brought over and used instead of this subsoil. 



III. Take up as large a root system as possible with the tree 

 you dig. The smaller the ball of earth, the greater the loss of 

 feeding roots and the danger of starvation to the tree. 



Prevent the drying of the exposed roots. When root hairs once 

 shrivel they never revive. This is the general rule. A tree may 

 survive but be greatly debilitated by careless handling in this 

 particular. 



IV. Trim all torn and broken roots with a sharp knife. A 

 ragged wound above or below ground is slow and uncertain in 

 healing. A clean, slanting cut heals soonest and surest. 



V. Set the tree on a bed of mellow soil with all its roots spread 

 naturally. 



VI. Let the level be the same as before. The tree's roots must 

 be planted, but not buried too deep to breathe. A stick laid 

 across the hole at the ground level will indicate where the tree 

 "collar" should be. 



VII. Sift rich earth, free from clods, among the roots. Hold 

 the tree erect and firm. Lift it a little to make sure the spaces 

 are well filled underneath. Pack it well down with your foot. 



VIII. // in the growing season, pour in water and let it settle 

 away. This establishes contact between root hairs and soil 

 particles, and dissolves plant food for absorption. If the tree 

 is dormant, do not water it. 



IX. Fill the hole with dirt. Tramp in well as filling goes on. 

 Heap it somewhat to allow for settling. If subsoil is used, put 

 it on last. Make the tree firm in its place. 



X. Prune the top to a few main branches and shorten these. 

 This applies to a sapling of a few years whose head you are able 

 to form. Older trees should also be pruned to balance the loss 

 of roots. Otherwise transpiration of water from the foliage would 

 be so great as to overtax the roots, not yet established in the 

 new place. Many trees die from this abuse. People cannot bear 

 to cut back the handsome top, though a handsomer one is so 

 soon supplied by following this reasonable rule. 



XI. IVater the tree frequently as it first starts. A thorough 

 soaking of all the roots, not a mere sprinkling of the surface soil, 



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