The best Season for Transplanting Trees. 437 



Ed. Not the least : that is, no more than if the tree had 

 not been removed. If the tree is in good heakh when set ' 

 out, it will receive no more injury than it would have done 

 standing in the nursery row. "We have known severe winters 

 to kill several kinds of young pear trees to the ground : if set 

 out previous to such a hard winter, they might be injured ; 

 but we do not think their liability to the danger increased by 

 removal. 



Sub. That is just what I wish to learn : your experience 

 extends over many years, and through a series of variable 

 winters, which should enable you to judge correctly of their 

 effects upon transplanted trees, and with this experience you 

 are confident there is no more danger of winter killing than if 

 set out the previous spring ? 



Ed. Not any ; except as I before stated, when planted in 

 cold, wet and unfavorable soils. 



Sub. This point settled, which has been the greatest bug- 

 bear in the way of autumn transplanting, leaves little doubt of 

 its being the best season. Your fourth, fifth and sixth proposi- 

 tions appear to decide the question. There can be no doubt 

 of the better ability of the trees to send out roots early in the 

 spring, which will enable them to resist our June and July 

 droughts, so trying to all transplanted trees. 



Ed. Have you ever carefully noted down the changes in 

 the growth of newly planted trees ? If not, do so another 

 year. You will find that a tree set out in April will break 

 freely, and start into growth vigorously ; but by the time our 

 early rains are over and dry weather sets in, then they often 

 come to a dead stand — scarcely another shoot will they make 

 all summer. Just at the time the greatest supply of sap is 

 required, the tree is unable to give it, as it has not yet estab- 

 lished itself sufficiently to furnish that supply ; consequently 

 the growth stops, and in many instances death ensues. 



Sub. Without noting particularly the condition of trees 

 which I have transplanted in the early part of the season, I 

 have lost too many not to be aware that, in June or July, they 

 generally have completed about all the growth they make the 

 first year. 



