18 THE MINIATURE FRUIT GARDEN. 



cutting out cleanly witli a sharp knife, in winter 

 pruning those that are rrnwiliiig oacli other. Tlie 

 biennial removal described below is alrto noces.sarv, 

 unless in very largo gardt^ns where large spreading 

 trees are wished for. Although the taking up and 

 replanting a tree may seem formidable work, it is not 

 so, for the roots, from being frequently removed, 

 become so fibrous near the surface, that an active man 

 can lift and rejilant one liundred trees in a day. I 

 need scarcely add that if root-pruning, as described 

 in page 14, be pi'eferred to remmal, it may be prac- 

 ticed. 



These bushes are admirably adajited for gardens 

 exposed to winds, and if removed biennially they may 

 be grown in the smallest of gardens with great ad- 

 vantage. This biennial removal, or lifting, should be 

 performed as follows : — A trench should be opened 

 round the tree the width of a spade, and from twelve 

 to fifteen inches deep ; the tree should then be raisetl 

 with its ball of cartli attaclied to its root intact. If 

 the soil be light and rich, and the tree inclined to gi'ow 

 ■^dgorously, making annual shoots of more than one 

 foot in length, it may be replanted without any fresh 

 (•(impost ; but if, on the contrary, the soil be poor, 

 and the tree stunted in its growth, the following 

 materials may be used : — In low situations near 

 brooks and ri\ers, a black moor earth is generally 

 found: tliis unprt'pai'ed is unfit tor ]iorti(?ultnral pur- 

 ]io,ses, but if dug out and laid in a ridge, and om^ 

 eighth part ofunslaeked lime be spread o\er it, turn- 

 ing it immcdialely and mixing the lime with it, it will 

 lieconii^ in tile course of live or six weeks an excellent 



