68 TRANSPLANTING. 



may be more closely shortened back than others having a less 

 reproductive power, as the apple. The cherry throws out a 

 new growth still more reluctantly, and hence more care, is 

 needed in digging up the roots entire. 



Preparing the roots. — Before a tree is set in the earth, all the 

 bruised or wounded parts, where cut with the spade, should be 

 pared off smoothly, to prevent decay, and to enable them to 

 heal over by granulations during the growth of the tree. 

 Then dip them in a bed of mud, which will coat every part 

 over evenly, and leave no portion in contact with air, which 

 accidently might not be reached by the earth in filling the 

 hole. The bed of mud is quickly made by pouring into a 

 hole a pail of water, and mixing it with the soil. 



Setting the tree. — It should not be set deeper than it stood 

 before removal, unless the land is newly ploughed, and is likely 

 to settle away from the tree. Setting upon the surface with- 

 out any hole, and placing fine earth upon the roots to the 

 usual depth, is allowable on shallow or unprepared soils. 

 When placed in the unfilled hole, if it is found to be too 

 deeply sunk, a mound or hillock is to be made under the cen- 

 tre to raise it sufficiently, and the roots separated and ex- 

 tended to their full length. Fine rich mould is then to be 

 sprinkled or sifted over, taking care to fill all the interstices, 

 and using the fingers to Spread out all the fibres during the 

 operation. The mellow earth should rise two or three inches 

 above the surrounding surface, to allow for its subsequent 

 settling. 



Stiffening against the w/«fl!f.— Newly-planted trees, being 

 acted on as levers by the wind, often press aside the earth 

 about their stems, and make an opening down to the roots, 

 which in consequence suffer from both drouth and disturb- 

 ance. There are two ways to prevent this disaster. In au- 

 tumn transplanting, the best way is to embank a mound 6^f 

 earth about the stems, from ten to eighteen inches high, as 

 the size of the tree may require, Fig. 107. This mound per- 

 forms the triple office of stiffening the tree, excluding mice 

 and covering the roots from frost. Only a few seconds are rel 

 quired to throw up one of these conical heaps of earth. After 

 the tree commences growing, the mounds are removed. 

 Trees which have had their heads lightened by the shorten^ 



