46 BULLETIN 1:79, U. S. DEPARTMENT OV AGRICULTURE. 



period t ho crowns of the seedlings make constant demands upon the 

 roots for moisture. Since the roots are unable to furnish this inune- 

 diately after transplanting, it is quite essential, in order to prevent 

 losses, to conduct the transplanting operation during the dormant 

 period of the seedlings, which is normally from fall to spring. 

 Snow and the fro/en condition of the soil mal^e transplanting im- 

 possible during the winter. It must be done, therefore, either in the 

 spring or fall. 



Fall transplanting has only a few advantages. There is not the 

 danger, as in spring, of the plants starting growth before the oper- 

 ation is completed: and the transplants are ready to start growth 

 early the following spring and reach a larger size by fall than they 

 would otherwise. On the other hand, fall transplanting is liable to 

 be stopped at any time by early snow or freezing weather; it neces- 

 sitates double the regular transplant area in case the stock trans- 

 planted the previous fall is not yet shipped; fertilizer crops (where 

 green manuring is practiced) can not be turned under in time to decay 

 before transplanting; and the transplanted stock is likely during the 

 winter to be heaved out of the ground or winterkilled because the 

 roots have not taken a firm hold on the soil. Severe losses of fall 

 transplanted western yellow pine at the Savenac, Poeatello. Uinta, 

 and Pilgrim Creek Nurseries have been caused by heaving. 



Spring transplanting is, in general, preferable to fall transplant- 

 ing. The chief objection to it is that growth in the seed beds may 

 start before the transplanting can be completed, causing loss in the 

 transplant beds. The danger can be obviated by working a large 

 transplanting crew and rapidly finishing the operation. Spring 

 transplanting should be started as early as the condition of the soil 

 will permit and then rushed. At the Bessey Nursery the loss in 

 transplanting jack pine and western yellow pine in April was 12 and 

 17 per cent, respectively, and increased to 30 and 40 per cent in 

 May (PI. XVI). 



If the beginning of growth threatens or starts before transplanting 

 is finished, there is a possibility that it may be checked, but none of 

 the known methods is highly efficient. One method is to heel the 

 plants in the ground in a cool, shady situation, such as the bank of 

 a small stream where there is good, fine soil. A trench deep enough 

 to accommodate the roots and with one sloping side is dug; the 

 plants are spread out along the sloping side in a layer two or three 

 deep with their tops above the surface of the soil and their roots 

 extended to the bottom of the trench; and the loose soil is then 

 thrown over the roots and packed well. If the soil is dry it is 

 watered immediately and at intervals later on. If no shade is avail- 

 able the tops are loosely covered with some such material as burlap 

 or straw and are examined frequently to observe any heating. Fall 



