OF TRANSPLANTING. 281 



essential parts of the theory of transplantation, as 

 will presently be seen : it is necessary, however, that 

 they should be applied in some detail ; for which pur- 

 pose it will be convenient to consider, first, the season, 

 and, secondly, the manner, in which transplanting 

 can be best effected. 



It is the powerful perspiratory action of the leaves 

 of deciduous trees which renders transplanting them 

 in a growing state so difficult, that for practical pur- 

 poses it may be called impossible ; for the operation 

 is necessarily* attended by a mutilation of the roots 

 which feed the leaves. At no period, then, can the 

 operation be performed if such plants are growing. 

 Even if the buds are only pushing, the process should 

 be avoided, because immediately after that period 

 the demand upon the roots is greatest; for although 

 in consequence of the smallness of the surface of the 

 young leaves the action of perspiration may seem to 

 be feeble, yet the thinness of the newly formed tissue 

 will not enable it to resist the drying action of the 

 atmosphere unless there is a most abundant aflux of 

 sap from the roots. In England, too, the months 

 when buds begin to burst forth are objectionable, 

 not only on account of their dryness (see the tables 

 at page 133),, but of their coldness, which prevents 

 the free circulation of sap ; and their evil effects are 

 felt not only by the roots through the foliage, but 



* Transplanting from garden pots, in which the roots are pre- 

 served artificially from injury, may be performed equally well at 

 any time if care is taken, and is, of course, not included in this 

 statement 



