TRANSPLANTING LARGE TREES. 45 



formly tapering from foot to head, and clothed from 

 top to base with rather slender branches, clean healthy- 

 bark, and rich and dark foliage. In other respects 

 the same conditions are applicable as for hardwoods 

 generally. As the larch, however, differs so widely in 

 its growth from both hardwoods and pines, it requires 

 different treatment. How far the larch will submit 

 to pruning, so that when transplanted the balance of 

 growth may be so maintained that the roots will be able 

 to sustain the tree, is still a matter of some uncertainty. 



In preparing trees for transplanting, a trench should 

 be dug around them, describing a circle somewhat 

 within that of the outer extremity of the branches. 

 The trench should be made sufficiently deep to cut all 

 the roots, and then filled in with earth, fresher and 

 richer, if possible, than that dug out. After being 

 dug round, the tree should be allowed to remain one, 

 two, or three years, according to circumstances, when 

 it will be fit for removal ; but if not removed at the 

 end of three years, a second digging will be found 

 necessary, and should be done in such a way as to 

 keep clear of the last-formed trench, and thereby 

 avoid cutting the newly-formed fibres. When the 

 circle described around the roots is necessarily too 

 small compared with the spread of the branches, the 

 latter should be reduced in due proportion, otherwise 

 the roots will be unable to nourish the whole tree. 

 Digging round and preparation of the roots should be 

 done in spring, while pruning the top should be per- 

 formed in summer, at least one year previous to 

 transplanting. 



In consequence of the almost unavoidable dis- 

 engagement of earth from the roots of the trees in 

 the process of transplanting, a necessity is thus in- 



