ON TREES AND SHRUBS. 



359 



naturally so, and trenched. It must, however, be remembered 

 that trees and shrubs differ as regards the kind of soil most 

 suitable for them. Some are naturally deep-rooting, and others, 

 like the Heath family and its allies, may be taken as examples 

 of surface- or shallow-rooting subjects. Such shrubs as the 

 deciduous Daphnes are best planted as quickly as possible 

 after the fall of the leaf in autumn, as root-action com- 

 mences soon after Christmas, which would be interfered with if 

 planting were deferred until spring. 



Opinions differ greatly as to the best time to transplant trees 

 and shrubs. Some prefer early autumn, some March, and others 

 April and ^Nlay. We believe, however, in autumn planting, as 

 then the temperature of the ground is higher than is the case 

 either in mid-winter or in early spring, and the trees are enabled 

 to make fresh roots and establish themselves in their new 

 quarters before winter. Besides, they are better able to 

 commence growth in spring without feeling ill effects. Any 

 time between September and March will do so long as the trees 

 are in a condition to be lifted, ordinary care is taken in the 

 operation, and provided, of course, that the ground is in a 

 proper state to receive them. 



Planting in dry, windy weather is not advisable, as evaporation 

 then goes on much more rapidly than is the case when the 

 weather is mild and dull. It will therefore be seen that the 

 conditions most favourable for planting are when the atmosphere 

 is damp or moist. It is not a good practice to transplant in 

 mid-winter, as the ground at that period is very cold. Neither 

 should transplanting be done or attempted in frosty weather. 



With regard to seedlings that have been growing in seed- 

 beds, or autumn-rooted cuttings, spring will be found the best 

 time for planting these out in nursery rows in soil suited to 

 their requirements. Until well established they should be 

 watered dailv. 



Evergreens, especially Hollies, Yews, Bays, Portugal Laurels, Szc, 

 may be transplanted with safety in April and INIay. They should 

 always be lifted with good balls of earth, and the roots interfered 

 with as little as possible ; but they should never be exposed to 

 drying winds, which injure the small fibrous rootlets. They 

 should not be kept out of the ground longer than is really 

 necessary, and if any of the roots should get bruised, the injured 

 parts should be cut away at once, because if allowed to remain 

 they might decay, and be the means of causing others to die ; if 



