72 



TRANSPLANTING. 



transplant with the dibble, the ground must be pre- 

 viously dugt and its surface smoothed with the rake. 

 The Hne is then stretched, and the plants are station- 

 ed in straight rows. The perfection of this art con- 

 sists in proper fixing. If the plants are only loose- 

 ly stuck in, we may calculate on their not growing 

 as a matter of course. And if we haiig them in the 

 hole, as it is termed, that is, close the earth firmly 

 about the neck of the plant, which makes it appear 

 firm to the touch, W'hile its root is at the same time 

 loose, the result will be similar. Doubling of the 

 roots is also pernicious, and the hole ought always 

 to be made deep enough to contain them straight, 

 and at full length. In order to facilitate this, the 

 straggling fibres should be pruned off with a sharp 

 knife, but the woody part of the root must not be 

 touched, otherwise the life of the plant will be en- 

 dangered. 



Where there is plenty of land, the plants may 

 be put as far asunder as the owner has a mind ; but 



it is next to impossible to give the plants an exactly verti- 

 cal position, by means of it ; and lying aslant^ the consequences 

 are, that they not only become crooked near the root, but often 

 lose their leaders, a circumstance very prejudicial to their fu- 

 ture growth. Nurserymen are partial to sheughing, because 

 it is more expeditious than planting with the dibble. 



