238 GARDENING FOB THE SOUTH. 



niaining so il should be put on, leaving the collar of the 

 plant covered a very little deeper than before (in the case 

 of trees some two inches), and the looser and drier this 

 surface soil is the better will it resist drought. If the 

 body of the tree is held firm by tying it to a stake, it will 

 prevent the loosening of the roots by the action of the 

 wind upon the tops. 



Checking undue Evaporation until the Plant is 

 Established. — The maintaining the balance between 

 the top and root of the plant is best secured by perform- 

 ing the whole operation at the proper season, in mild, 

 moist weather, and with as much dispatch as possible, 

 meanwhile protecting the roots from the air and sun; by 

 pruning severely the tops of plants that admit the opera- 

 tion, thus lessening the evaporating surface; and by 

 guarding with the greater care from injury the roots of 

 conifers and other plants that do not. Removing a large 

 portion of the leaves will likewise diminish the evapo- 

 rating surface, and is very necessary in planting hollies 

 and evergreen oaks. Shade from the sun those plants 

 that require such protection (and nearly all are thus 

 benefited), and water to supply the absorbing extremities 

 of the roots with an abundance of food, that the increased 

 quantity imbibed by each may, in some degree, make up 

 for their diminished number. Mulching the surface thinly 

 after a rain is also useful in preventing undue loss of 

 moisture from the soil. 



Preparation of Trees for Transplanting. — As a 

 rule, there is little gained by planting out large trees. 

 Small trees, as Downing remarks, can be taken up with a 

 system of roots and branches entire, while the older and 

 larger tree, losing a part of its roots, requires years to 

 resume its former vigor. Trees, transplanted while small, 

 will prove more healthy, vigorous, and enduring; but 

 sometimes, for immediate effect, or to preserve a favorite 



