TRANSPLANTING OF TREES. 



119 



with such care and success that tlie trees shoiild not 

 only live hut also recover their vigorous growth and 

 healthy appearance within two or three years after their 

 removal. This, with trees from twenty to forty feet 

 high, is usually a result of somewhat difficult attain- 

 ment. The most propitious season for transplanting 

 deciduous trees we have found to be ui September, 

 while the foliage was still green, but the young wood 

 firm and ripening off. Young rootlets are almost sure 

 to be formed before winter, through which the tree 

 receives an immediate supply of sap in spring ; while 

 later-planted trees often continue withering in the wind 

 till roots , are put forth in the beginning of summer. 

 Proper subjects for transplanting should be selected : 

 the best are found growing, if not in exposed, at least 

 in welL-aired localities, such as on the outsides of plan- 

 tations, with branches tolerably well balanced, and 

 having a copious supply of roots. Trees from these 

 situations, and with these qualities, are more hardy 

 and better able than any others to stand the increased 

 exposure arising from their being planted as single 

 trees or in thin groups. If trees cannot be obtained, 

 as above recommended, recourse must be had to the 

 interior of plantations, but they should be prepared by 

 thinning and the consequent exposure before they are 

 removed. It is generaRy worse than useless to trans- 

 plant feeble drawn-up trees from close-sheltered thickets 

 into the position of single trees or groups ; for, although 

 they may survive the check sustained from the necessary 

 loss of roots and the increased cold, not one in ten will 

 ever form a fine tree. We may add, that though trees may 

 often be transplanted at once, success is more certain 

 when they have been prepared by having their roots cut 



