TRANSPLANTING. 197 



approach of spring 1 , as is the case in all healthy trees, 

 furnishes the requisite supply for the expansion of 

 the buds and leaves, which is all that is expected 

 of a recently transplanted tree of a large size. The 

 summer is far advanced before intercommunication 

 can possibly take place between the root and branches 

 of such a tree ; so that it may be said to live through 

 part of the summer upon its previously received store 

 of sap, without any assistance from the root at all. 

 That this is a fact, may be inferred from what we 

 may see every year in the timber yard, namely, 

 vigorous young shoots produced by the butts of elm 

 and other trees for a year or two after they have 

 been felled, and consequently deprived of all assist- 

 ance from their root. This circumstance has given 

 some very intelligent planters reason to infer, that 

 the more a large tree is pruned the worse it succeeds ; 

 and we have no doubt (in the case of several kinds 

 of trees) the observation is just, provided the newly 

 transplanted large tree can be kept perfectly steady in 

 its new place. 



Old trees are transplanted either for the purpose 

 of embellishment, or to save the life of a favourite 

 which happens to stand in the way. It is not ex- 

 pected that its volume will be increased on the 

 instant ; to preserve it in form and alive till it is 

 re-established is the sole aim. Its bulk and inherent 

 store of vitality render severe lopping of the head 

 unnecessary. But with young trees we have other 

 views ; we endeavour to start them with renovated 



