OF TRANSPLANTING LARGE TREES. 307 



cause, intend to place the tree in its new site im- 

 mediately, the following plan is to be adopted : — 



In the first place, Let the compost, instead of be- 

 ing laid round the circumference of the pit without 

 its area, be piled up in a heap at the centre around 

 the stake. This being done, the workmen are to 

 proceed, not to trench, but to excavate the pit, lay- 

 ing the earth taken out carefully around the edge, 

 and scattering it as little as possible. Over every 

 stratum a spit deep of the earth thrown out, a stra- 

 tum of the compost at the centre is to be thrown, 

 and when the excavation is finished, the whole mass 

 must be well mixed, by tossing and turning it from 

 the bottom with the spade. These operations being 

 finished, the pit will be ready for the immediate re- 

 ception of the tree. 



Every large tree transplanted should have eighteen 

 inches, or two feet of loose mould. Let it be 

 observed, however, that in making single pits in 

 clayey land, the subsoil should never be pierced. 

 Should this be done, the water at every shower 

 that falls will be contained at the bottom as in a 

 cup, without any possibility of running off, and will 

 prove highly detrimental to the roots of the tree. 

 Any deficiency of soil that may arise from the ob- 

 servation of this rule, must be supplied by bringing 



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