136 



GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



tween stones and hard lumps of earths, so that the circu- 

 lation is weakly and imperfectly carried on through dis- 

 eased and defective organs. The roots of a tree therefore, 

 when transplanted, must be examined, and all those in- 

 jured, and all the small fibrous extremities in bad condi- 

 tion, should be cut back with a sharp knife to the sound 

 parts before it is reset, in order to force the root to throw 

 out new fibres, which, in many plants, are produced in great 

 abundance from where a root has been cut back with a 

 clean cut. Hoots, matted with fibers, should be disen- 

 tangled and soil introduced among them in planting, so as 

 to separate them from each other. 



While the plant is out of the ground, its roots should 

 be protected from exposure to the air, and, if not planted 

 immediately, should be covered with earth. Many trees 

 are ruined by lying out exposed to the sun for hours while 

 holes are being dug to receive them. Before the tree is 

 reset, the top also should receive the necessary pruning. 



Replanting* — After the holes are ready and the tree 

 prepared, its roots should be laid upon the convex surface 

 to see if the hole is of the proper depth, which may be 

 judged by the eye, or more exactly by laying a rod across 

 the hole close to the stem, resting on the level ground on 

 each side. If the neck of the plant is too high or too 

 low, make the necessary alteration, bringing the bottom 

 to the proper height, and convex as before. Hold the tree 

 lightly, — if it is in the same aspect as before, in respect 

 to the points of the compass, it certainly can do it no 

 harm, and many cultivators think it important. Let the 

 roots be nicely spread over this convex surface, training 

 out the leading roots at distances as near equal as possible, 

 not bundling the small roots together, but separating them 

 wich particles of fine soil. Then holding the stem firmly 

 and erect, save a slight inclination towards the side from 

 which the heaviest gales or most constant winds are ex- 

 pected, throw the finest, lightest soil, from that reserved 



