240 TREES AND TREE-PLANTING. 
TRANSPLANTING LARGE TREES. 
“The many efforts to transplant trees of large size, 
and effect their successful thrift, have met with some in- 
stances of failure, owing to the want of due regard to 
the several requirements which tend to the success of the 
undertaking. In some instances, the injury to the roots 
on being extracted from the soil, and the after-neglect 
of precautionary trimming of the injured parts previous 
to again inserting them, have been the source from whence 
decay and disease have originated, to the destruction of 
the growth operated on. Again, the want of experience 
in the preparation of the soil suitable for transplants, 
and the preserving of the quietude of the tree till Nat- 
ure enforces self-reliance and support by her produc- 
tion of agencies for this requisite, have been the cause of 
failure. 
“ As the component material forming some soils varies 
from that of others, it is necessary that the planter be 
experienced in such matters, so as to come to a correct 
conclusion of the suitability of the soil to the growth of 
the species before he undertakes the removal of the tree 
from its ground. Generally the tree should be trans- 
planted to soil of the same character as that from which 
it is taken: and this may be held as a criterion of its 
adaptability, that the nearer these soils approach in char- 
acter the more confidence may be reposed in the future 
thrift of the tree. 
“ One description of soil may be wet and porous, as the 
clayey sorts, while another may be dry and sandy. Each 
requires distinct preparation, conformable to many emer- 
gencies. The liability of any soil to retain moisture to 
excess necessitates that such methods be adopted as to 
prevent the flooding of the roots, which often occurs 
when the common system of hole-digging in clayey soils 
is resorted to, where the space excavated becomes a res- 
ervoir for the reception of surface-drainage and perco- 
