238 PRINCIPLES OF PLANT CULTURE 



Reducing the top. — The buds of trees and shrubs 

 should generally be reduced in number at replanting 

 to correspond with the destruction of the younger roots 

 during the lifting process ; otherwise the water supplied 

 by the roots may be insufBcient to open the buds (62). 

 This is best accomplished by thinning out and cutting 

 back the branches. The branches that can best be 

 spared should be removed (420), and the others cut back. 

 Failure to properly reduce the top 

 is a frequent cause of death or loss 



Fig. 139. Fig. 140. 



Fig. 138. — Strawberry plant too deeply planted. 

 FiQ. 139. — The same planted too shallow. 

 Fig. 140. — Strawberry plant properly planted. 



of vigor in transplanted trees. Small plants in leaf, 

 such as the strawberry, cabbage and the like, usually 

 endure transplanting better if their larger leaves are 

 removed at replanting. 



Wetting the roots just before replanting is quite impor- 

 tant, as it favors intimate contact with the soil particles. 

 Plants that have suffered from loss of moisture in transit 

 should have their roots soaked in clean water for a few 

 hours before replanting. Deciduous trees of which the 

 bark is considerably shriveled may often be saved, if the 



