OF TRANSPLANTING. 289 



Mr. Macnab rightly adverts to the importance of 

 choosing a suitable day, as well as season, for the 

 operation ; and it must be evident from what has now 

 been stated, and this is very necessary : as, however, 

 the theory of this is the same as that of the season, it 

 will be sufficient to quote this excellent practical gar- 

 dener's rule. In winter, you may plant with perfect 

 safety in a dull calm day, whereas in spring or autumn 

 a moist rainy day is preferable to any other; but 

 where a person has not the choice of such weather, 



is the most favourable period for the purpose ; since the abundant 

 and long-continued rains which occur from the vernal equinox to 

 the middle of April enable the plant to recover itself, and emit 

 new roots with rapidity. We have been very successful in May, 

 but then so much depends upon the occurrence of rainy weather, 

 that the risk is greatly increased.- Next to the selection of the 

 proper time, the preservation of the roots in a moist condition is 

 the most essential point, in removing all evergreen trees. — ^These 

 remarks are not applicable to a different mode of transplanting 

 large evergreen and other trees, which is very sueoessfully prac- 

 tised in this country; that of removing them with large frozen 

 balls of earth in midwinter. The trees to be removed are selected, 

 and the holes prepared for their reception in autumn, while the 

 ground is yet open. When the ground is slightly frozen, the ope- 

 rator proceeds to dig a trench around the tree, at some distance 

 from its trunk, gradually undermining itj and leaving the princi- 

 pal mass of roots embodied in the ball of earth, which is left to 

 freeze pretty thoroughly. At a favourable time during the win- 

 ter, the tree with the ball of frozen earth is rolled upon a sled 

 drawn by oxen, by which it is readily transferred to the hole 

 previously prepared for its reception, and placed in the proper 

 position; and as soon as the weather becomes milder, the earth 

 is properly filled in around the balL In this way, a tree twenty- 

 five feet high may be transplanted, so as scarcely to exhibit, during 

 the ensuiiig season, any ill effects from the change of location. A. J. D. 



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