364 HORTICULTURE. 



roots, do more injury, than can arise from the different states 

 of the atmosphere. 



It has been customary to prune trees, at the time of 

 transplanting ; but it is at least a very doubtful practice. 

 The branches contain the leaves which are necessary to pre- 

 pare the nutriment which is stored up in the autumn, for 

 assimilation. If, therefore, we cut off the branches, we di- 

 minish that power which is first wanted in all its force, to 

 meet the demands of life at this critical period. 



But the most important point to be attended to in a prac- 

 tical way, is the preparation of the ground, and the mode of 

 locating the individual in its new home. For most trees, the 

 soil should be rendered mellow and rich, for a considerable 

 distance around. The pits should be made from 3 to 10 

 feet across, according to the size of the tree. The roots 

 should be left free, to extend themselves into the soil ; and 

 the earth around the stem should be left a little dishing, to 

 gather up the water that falls. It is also desirable to fill up 

 the pits with mould and ashes. When these conditions are 

 properly attended to, the tree will be, not only more thrifty at 

 first, but the influence will extend often through the whole 

 period of life. 



There are many other points on the subject of horticulture, 

 which are important for the professional gardener ; especially 

 the management of green-house plants. But as these are of 

 little importance to the farmer, we shall here close the sub- 

 ject, and with it our book, with the hope, that we may at 

 some future period, be able to supply its present defects. 



END. 



