46 
period the crowns of the seedlings make constant demands upon the 
roots for moisture. Since the roots are unable to furnish this imme- 
diately after transplanting, it is quite essential, in order to prevent 
losses, to conduct the transplanting operation during the dormant 
period of the seedlings, which is normally from fall to spring. 
Snow and the frozen condition of the soil make transplanting im- 
possible during the winter. It must be done, therefore, either in the 
spring or fall. 
Fall transplanting has only a few advantages. There is not the 
danger, as in spring, of the plants starting growth before the oper- 
ation is completed; and the transplants are ready to start growth 
early the following spring and reach a larger size by fall than they 
would otherwise. On the other hand, fall transplanting is liable to 
be stopped at any time by early snow or freezing weather ; it neces- 
sitates double the regular transplant area in case the stock trans- 
planted the previous fall is not yet shipped; fertilizer crops (where 
green manuring is practiced) can not be turned under in time to decay 
before transplanting; and the transplanted stock is likely during the 
winter to be heaved out of the ground or winterkilled because the 
roots have not taken a firm hold on the soil. Severe losses of fall 
transplanted western yellow pine at the Sa venae, Pocatello. Uinta, 
and Pilgrim Creek Nurseries have been caused by heaving. 
Spring transplanting is, in general, preferable to fall transplant- 
ing. The chief objection to it is that growth in the seed beds may 
start before the transplanting can be completed, causing loss in the 
transplant beds. The danger can be obviated by working a large 
transplanting crew and rapidly finishing the operation. Spring 
transplanting should be started as early as the condition of the soil 
Avill permit and then rushed. At the Bessey Nursery the loss in 
transplanting jack pine and western yellow pine in April was 12 and 
17 per cent, respectively, and increased to 30 and -10 per cent in 
May (PI. XVI). 
If the beginning of growth threatens or starts before transplanting 
is finished, there is a possibility that it may be checked, but none of 
the known methods is highly efficient. One method is to heel the 
plants in the ground in a cool, shady situation, such as the bank of 
a small stream where there is good, fine soil. A trench deep enough 
to accommodate the roots and with one sloping side is dug; the 
plants are spread out along the sloping side in a layer two or three 
deep with their tops above the surface of the soil and their roots 
extended to the bottom of the trench; and the loose soil is then 
thrown over the roots and packed well. If the soil is dry it is 
watered immediately and at intervals later on. If no shade is avail- 
able the tops are loosely covered with some such material as burlap 
or straw and are examined frequently to observe any heating. Fall 
