PLANTING FOREST TREES. 99 



The general rules in regard to trimming of roots and 

 tops hold true also for the transplanting of seedlings 

 taken from the woods. Experts in this matter, however, 

 contend that these seedlings should be pruned more se- 

 verely than those from the nursery. 



In conclusion some remarks in regard to tree planting 

 in general may still be added. 



1. Great care must be taken to protect the seedlings 

 against the rays of the sun and drying winds. Planting, 

 therefore, should be done only in mild weather, when no 

 strong winds prevail, and the sun is not too powerful. 

 If possible, the operation should be performed during a 

 gentle rain. If this be not practicable, and if we have 

 to work in warm, sunny weather, there should be no more 

 plants taken up from the nursery than can be planted 

 within the next hour ; for if the young trees are exposed 

 to wind and light, the roots and fibres often shrivel 

 up, and become unable to furnish food to the tree. 

 Should it be impossible to observe this direction on ac- 

 count of the distance the trees have to be transported, 

 while being removed they should be coated with the clay 

 brine, and be well wrapped in wet moss or other damp 

 materials, to check loss of moisture through foliage and 

 roots. Trees which appear to have suffered from evap- 

 oration of moisture during the removal, after their ar- 

 rival should be heeled in — that is, laid in trenches, — and 

 if they have suffered much, they should for some time 

 be entirely covei'ed with fresh soil until taken to the place 

 where they are to be planted. 



2. The best time for transplanting trees is during 

 the dormant period, when the sap in the tree does not 

 run. This period lies between the end of autumn and 

 the beginning of spring. Conifers, however, may, with 

 the exception of the Larch, be transplanted even after 

 budding. Under favorable conditions, planting may be 

 done either in fall or spring with the same good result ; 



