Sowing and Transplanting 



13 



Some species are far more liable to frost-lifting than others, 

 particularly spruce and silver fir; whereas sweet chestnut, and other 

 species which develop deep roots soon after germination, are practically 

 immune. The main preventive measures against this danger in the 

 seed bed are, firstly, to sow fairly thickly, and secondly, not to weed 

 in the late autumn, as this loosens the surface of the ground. 



Some species, e.g., silver fir, are subject to frost when young, 

 and these are best grown in alternate lines with transplants of 

 some evergreen frost-hardy species, e.g., spruce. 



Messrs. Dickson, of Chester, have kindly furnished the details 

 in the following table: — 



The transplant is the term applied to the seedling on its first 

 removal. The seedling is lifted at an age of one to three years, and 

 is transplanted again in the nursery. The effect of this is twofold : 

 it gives an increased growing area to the plant ; also it ensures a 

 compact root-system, and it stimulates the production of fibrous roots. 



Transplanting should take place in early spring, and this is 

 especially advisable in the case of conifers. Broad-leaved tree 

 seedlings may be moved during the time between the ripening of the 

 year's growth in autumn and the swelling of the buds in spring; but 

 early spring is preferable in all cases. Where a tap-root has 

 developed, it should be shortened before planting. 



