66 



PRACTICAL FORESTRY. 



open fields and along the borders of forests where they 

 haye been somewhat exposed to light and winds, are 

 preferable to those grown in deep forest shade. 



SEASON FOR TRA^^SPLANTIis^G. 



Volumes have been written advancing theories relative 

 to the proper season for transplanting evergreen trees and 

 shrubs, and while it may be possible to remove them safely 

 under favorable conditions at almost any time, it must be 

 apparent to every student of vegetable physiology, that 

 the proper or best time is when the plant is in its most 

 dormant condition. But in cold climates this period is 

 so extended, that if the plants are transplanted at the 

 beginning of it, they become weakened and often entirely 

 deprived of their natural juices, by the evaporation 

 through their leaves and twigs before a fresh supply can 

 be obtained by the action of their roots upon the soil in 

 which they are planted. The mere contact of roots with 

 moist soil is not sufficient to enable them to absorb 

 nutriment to any considerable extent, but contact through 

 growth is necessary to bring their absorbing functions into 

 action. It is for this reason that transplanting evergreens 

 m cold climates should be done in spring. If transplanted 

 early, or so soon as the ground is warm and dry enough 

 to work readily, there will usually be time for new roots 

 to form, through which sap will be imbibed to support 

 new top growth, as in the case of the potted seedlings 

 referred to on a preceding page. The principles in both 

 cases are identical. The large plant as well as the small 

 one needs time to become settled and fixed in its new 

 position before the growing season commences; conse- 

 quently early planting is always preferable, and if new 

 growth of branches has commenced when the roots are 

 disturbed, it is very likely to be checked, even if the tree 

 does not die. 



If for any cause it becomes necessary to transplant 



