18 HAND-BOOK OF PBACTIOAL 



can be worked freely, except the montlis of July and August, in 

 all our latitudes from above 43" down to 40°, below that June 

 and September must be included with July and August In 

 transplanting, it is only requisite to remember that the tree has 

 its leaves on, and that there is consequently a constant demand 

 upon the roots for evaporation by the leaves, and therefore it 

 will not do to permit them to get dry. With small sized trees, a 

 root nearly corresponding with the top is generally procured, 

 when the trees have been rightly grown in the nursery and 

 cutting in of the top is unnecessary ; but in the case of removal 

 of trees six feet or more in height, unless extraordinary care is 

 taken, a great reduction of the root is the result, and then it is 

 advisable always to shorten in the length of the branches 

 corresponding with the apparent loss of roots the tree has 

 sustained 



The writer of this has superintended the removal of evergreen 

 trees thirty feet in height, and breadth according at the base. 

 The practice has been to first mark the outline of the lower 

 branches, then raise them gently and carefully and tie them 

 points upward at six feet above the ground by a soft rope or 

 strap passed once around and fastened to the main stem of the 

 tree ; then with rakes and forks take ofE the surface ground 

 among the small fibrous roots to a depth of four inches, then 

 dig a trench eighteen inches deep and wide at the outskirt line 

 of the branches ; this done, then work underneath the roots and 

 carefully loosen them until they can be raised and tied to the 

 body of the tree — then place a mat underneath, and if the tree 

 has to go any distance pack wet moss among the I'oots, if it is 

 only to be moved one-quarter of a mile, merely sprinkling the 

 roots and wetting the mat will be necessary. Have the hole for 

 its transplanting ready dug and well wet, then set the tree upon 

 a little mound for its center and take down the roots one by one 

 and spread them as near to their natural position as can be done, 

 mingling soil by pressure of the fingers outspread, not jammed 

 down with the fist or a club stick. Avoid all treading of the 

 feet, but with the hand outspread see to it that the base has no 

 vacancy from packed soil of even one inch diameter. 



