172 



THE AMERICAN GARDENER. 



[Chap. 



284. Before the reader proceed further, he should 

 read very attentively what is said of transplanting 

 generally^ in Chapter III, Paragraph 109 and on- 

 wards. He will there perceive the absolute neces- 

 sity of the ground, to be planted in, being made 

 perfectly jine^ and that no clods, great or small, 

 ought to be tumbled in about the roots. This is so 

 capital a point, that I must request the reader to 

 pay particular attention to it. To remove a tree^ 

 though young, is an operation that puts the vegeta- 

 tive faculties to a severe test ; and, therefore, every 

 thing should be done to render the shock as little 

 injurious as possible. 



285. The tree to be planted should be as young 

 as circumstances will allow. The season is just 

 when the leaves become yellow, or, as early as pos- 

 sible in the spring. The ground being prepared, 

 and the tree taken up, prune the roots with a sharp 

 knife so as to leave none more than about a foot 

 long ; and, if any have been torn off nearer to the 

 stem, prune the part, so that no bruises or ragged 

 parts remain. Cut off all the fibres close to the 

 roots ; for, they never live, and they mould, and do 

 great injury. If cut off, their place is supplied by 

 other fibres more quickly. Dig the hole to plant in 

 three times as wide, and six inches deeper, than the 

 roots actually need as mere room. And now, be- 

 sides the fine earth generally, have some good 

 mould sifted. Lay some of this six inches deep at 

 the bottom of the hole. Place the roots upon this 

 in their natural order, and hold the tree perfectly 

 upright, while you put more sifted earth on the 

 roots. Sway the tree backward and forward a lit- 

 tle, and give it a gentle lift and shake, so that the 

 fine earth may find its way amongst the roots and 

 leave not the smallest cavity. Every root should 



