SEEDS SOILS TRANSPLANTING 55 



that point. When a hole for a transplanted tree is 

 dug a little lime may be sprinkled over the out-turned 

 earth and about the walls of the hole, if the soil 

 shows acid reaction when a piece of blue litmus 

 paper is pressed against it with a stick for testing 

 purposes. Blue litmus paper may be obtained from 

 any drug store. A small piece of the paper pressed 

 against the soft, moist earth will turn red if the soil 

 is acid in reaction. The fingers must not be used 

 to press blue litmus paper against the soil because 

 moisture from the fingers commonly gives acid re- 

 action. Use a stick for making pressure. Blue lit- 

 mus paper turns red when it is moistened upon an 

 acid soil, but red litmus paper turns blue if the soil 

 is distinctly alkaline in reaction. Almost any young 

 tree which has made a good start in the first two or 

 three years of its life in soil that has been limed 

 will go on to devolp in soil that is moderately acid 

 in reaction after that time, although the trees which 

 prefer a neutral or alkaline soil will never do as well 

 $$ they would in a soil to their natural liking. Lime 

 will neutralize acid in the soil. Alkalies in the soil 

 do not require attention as a rule. 



When transplanting young nut trees the texture 

 of the soil aside from its chemistry has a distinct 

 bearing. In general it is best to pack soil firmly 

 against the roots of young transplanted trees, firm- 

 ing it with a tamper in order to make close contact 

 between root and earth. If close earth contact is 

 not made roots cannot take up moisture and nourish- 

 ment from the soil freely. With sandy alluvial soils 



