THE GARDEN PRIMER 



line coming from the plant, as a spoke comes from the 

 center of a wheel. This insures striking down with 

 both pick and shovel, between main roots instead of 

 across them: thus it sacrifices less of them. Begin 

 on the line of an imaginary circle drawn around the 

 plant, as large as the spread of its branches. Commonly 

 this will be the line of the spread of the roots as well. 

 Take off the earth above the roots until they are 

 loosened; then work them out gradually, taking off 

 or picking loose as much more as necessary to release 

 them without strain. Never pull or ^'yank" a shrub 

 or anything else out of the ground; work things out, 

 digging around and under the roots if need be. Tilt 

 a plant back and forth and loosen the earth thoroughly 

 away down, before attempting to lift it or drag it forth. 

 There should be no violence done it, either in branch 

 or root. 



When it is finally released, take it at once to the 

 place prepared for it and lay it down so that the roots 

 may be examined and trimmed. No matter how 

 carefully the work is done, there will be some broken 

 and torn places — and these must be cut into smooth, 

 even stumps, else they leave room for rot and disease 

 to get a foothold. Trim off every broken or even badly 

 bruised rootbranch: then go to the other end of the 

 bush and trim off as much of its top, proportionately, 

 as it has been necessary to remove of its roots. 



Now fit it into its new quarters. Take great care 

 that there are no roots turned underneath it, for these will 

 hold it up and away from the earth on which it should 



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