EVIL OF TRANSPLANTING. 



208 



have arisen must be pulled out with the hand, and 

 this is to be repeated as often as necessary during 

 the summer. Early next March, let the plants in 

 one half of the rows be pulled up, slackening them 

 well with a spade that their roots be as little injur- 

 ed as possible. Dig the ground thus left empty to 

 the same depth as last year, and replant it imme- 

 diately with the young oaks just taken out of it. 

 This is to be performed with a dibble, taking care 

 to fix well, and not to double the roots, to avoid do- 

 ing which it will be necessary to prune off the extre- 

 mities with a sharp knife ; but the amputation 

 must be very sparing, otherwise the death of the 

 plants will inevitably follow. The oaks are to be 

 kept at the same distance in and between the lines 

 as were the acorns from which they grew the preced- 

 ing year, and, as well as those not transplanted, must 

 be kept free of weeds during the ensuing summer, 

 either by hoeing or pulling with the hand. 



An experiment conducted in the manner now 

 described is perfectly fair, and must therefore be de- 

 cisive. The whole of the oaks are sown at the 

 same season, and in the same ground, and have 

 equal advantages, in every other respect, during the 

 first year. The replanting of those taken up, in 

 the place they formerly occupied, instead of remov- 



