TREES AND SHRUBS IN GARDEN AND WOODLAND. 



381 



exceptions ; like the Bamboos, they should never be disturbed at the root until there is 

 evidence of new growth — that is to say, not before May. 



In shifting a plant from one place to another preserve the fine fibrous roots (w hich are 

 the real workers) as much as possible. If a portion of the soil in which they are growing can 

 be shifted as w ell, so much the better, but, except in the case of small material, this is often 

 difficult to accomplish without a proper transplanting machine. The root fibres are, however, 

 of more importance than the soil attached to them. In removing a large deciduous tree or 

 shrub, a trench should he first dug all round it far enough from the trunk" to reach its small 

 roots. Then carefully and gradually work the soil away with a fork', and preserve the 

 roots. Lay damp mats over them w hilst they are exposed. Where the tree is again to be 

 planted, a hole should be prepared large enough to allow of the roots being spread out evenly 

 all round, and to their full extent. Care should be taken to break up the soil finely, 

 especially that which comes immediately in contact with the roots. In heavy land, too, deep 



STANDARD WISTARIA. 



planting is a £reat evil ; in light sandy soil the ill-effects are not so great. A safe rule is not 

 to bury that part of the stem whence the uppermost roots spring more than 2in. or 3m. A 

 thorough watering should be given, and as summer approaches an additional help to 

 transplanted trees is afforded by a 3m. mulching of short manure. The amount of care to 

 be yiven in transplanting trees, and afterwards, varies of course with their adaptability 

 to the process and the estimation in which particular ones are held. It may be said, 

 however, that valued specimens, especially those becoming unwieldy in size and those that 

 have long remained undisturbed, should not if possible be touched. However carefully 

 performed, there is always a certain risk' attached to the operation. When the fact of a 

 tree having to be removed is known a sufficient time beforehand, it is a good plan during 

 the previous w inter to dig a trench round it near enough to cut off the younger roots and 

 to fill this with new soil. The tree will root into this, and thus make its ultimate removal 

 safer and easier. When planting previously unbroken ground, it is important that it 



