142 FOREST TREES: 
closely planted, fewer and smaller side branches are 
produced, which, as the tree extends rapidly upwards, 
die and drop off, or may be removed without injury. 
A plantation may consist entirely of the species which 
is designed for timber, or, if the young trees be scarce 
or expensive, they may be planted at such distances 
that they can be allowed to remain until they are large 
enough to be of some value, and the intermediate 
spaces be filled with inferior trees, to be removed as 
occasion requires. This subject will be more particu- 
larly noticed in the consideration of individual species. 
It may here be repeated that it is of primary impor- 
tance to prevent the roots of young evergreens from 
becoming dry while out of the ground. If this be 
neglected, no subsequent care and attention will avail 
to save them. 
Native evergreens of small size are annually brought 
in considerable quantities from the forests of the 
north, and distributed among the nurserymen of 
more southern latitudes. If they are properly han- 
dled, the operation, except in very unfavorable sea- 
sons, is attended with considerable success. The 
most suitable size for removal is from four or five 
inches to one foot in height. Plants growing in the 
most open situations are in all cases to be preferred. 
They should be dug up—not pulled—and the roots 
immediately secured from exposure by covering them 
with damp moss. When packed for transportation, 
damp moss should be freely used about the roots, and 
openings made in the top and sides of the box, with 
spaces through the middle sufficient to give free ven- 
