SPRING WORK 39 
Aside from spring-blooming bulbs, lilies, peonies 
and bleeding heart, hardy plants are shifted in 
the latter part of April and early in May to rather 
better advantage than in the autumn, though there 
is no rule save convenience and the exigencies of 
the case. 
If note of what is to be moved has not been made 
already, look over the garden with pencil and paper 
in hand and get a line on things. Before digging 
you are supposed to have some idea of what sort 
of a root growth a plant has, that you may favor 
it as much as possible. Excepting with tap roots 
there is no special risk if most of the soil falls away 
but it is safer to have a good ball of earth, which 
is not difficult in spring when there is plenty of 
moisture to hold it together. The ball is less likely 
to split if the trowel, or spade, is pressed deep into 
the soil on one or two sides and withdrawn, the 
actual lifting being then done from a third side. 
When a very large plant or shrub is to be handled, 
first prepare the new hole. Then it may be car- 
ried there on the spade that has lifted it and there 
is less likelihood of the ball of earth splitting. 
If the distance is far, lay the burden, spade and 
all, on a wheelbarrow and look out for rough 
places in transit. 
When you can do so, choose for transplanting 
a day when the sky is overcast or when you have 
an idea that rain will be along soon. ‘Then, per- 
haps, you will be able to do away with the trouble 
of watering. As the plants are dug lay them care- 
