CULTIVATION AND PROPAGATION 



31 



"VMien priming is skilfully performed, the ordinary observer 

 cannot detect what the primer has done. Pruning or disbud- 

 ding of conifers requires very intelligent observation, and one 

 should have the desired results definitely in mind. Of course, 

 there are different opinions about the pruning of conifers, some 

 growers preferring to leave them entirely alone. However, a 

 little pruning and disbudding in the juvenile state develops 

 natural beauty. This applies to conifers from an ornamental 

 standpoint, but from an economic or forestry point of view this 

 priming has no application whatever. 



The transplanting of conifers. (Figs. 2, 3.) 



There is wide difference of practice in the time of year for 

 the transplanting of coniferous evergreens, which means that 

 no one season is imperative. John Dunbar 

 writes that he transplants "conifers at all 

 times of the year, excepting midsummer 

 when they are in full growth. The best 

 success is secured in spring when the 

 buds begin to swell. From the end of 

 August to the middle of September, if 

 there have been abundant rains and the 

 ground has been well soaked, is a very 

 good time to move conifers. They may 

 be planted late in autumn when circum- 

 stances compel it, but there is likely to be 

 a considerable percentage of loss. Valu- 

 able conifers that stand in proximity to 

 each other and require removal for better 

 development, can be transplanted in 

 winter successfully with large frozen balls ' , ^ 



. 1 , . , . 2. A good ball of earth for 



on stone boats or tree-movmg machmes transplanting. 



