44 
TRANSPLANTING. 
small holes in the cc mmon mode, which uniformly showed the trees 
of the first, larger after five years, than those of the last after twelve. 
No fruit tree should be planted in a hole of less size than 
three feet square, and eighteen inches to two feet deep. To this 
size and depth the soil should be removed and well pulverized, 
and it should if necessary be properly enriched by the applica- 
tion of manure, which must be thoroughly mixed with the whole 
mass of prepared soil by repeated turnings with the spade, 
This preparation will answer, but the most skilful cultivators 
among us make their spaces four or five feet in diameter, or 
three times the size of the roots, and it is incredible how much 
the luxuriance and vigour of growth, even in a poor soil, is pro- 
moted by this. No after mending of the soil, or top dressings 
applied to the surface, can, in a climate of dry summers like ours, 
equal the effects of this early and deep loosening and enriching 
the soil. Its effects on the growth and health of the tree are 
permanent, and the little expense and care necessary in this 
preparation is a source of early and constant pleasure to the 
planter. This preparation may be made just before the tree is 
planted, but in heavy soils it is much better to do it several 
months previously ; and no shallow ploughing of the soil can 
obviate the necessity and advantages of the practice, where 
healthy, vigorous orchards or fruit gardens are desired. 
The whole art of transplanting, after this, consists in placing 
the roots as they were before, or in the most favourable position 
for growth. Begin by filling the hole with prepared soil, 
within as many inches of the top as will allow the tree to stand 
exactly as deep as it previously stood. With the spade, shape 
the soil for the roots in the form of a little hillock on which to 
place the roots — and not, as is commonly done, in the form of a 
hollow ; the roots will then extend in their natural position, not 
being forced to turn up at the ends. Next examine the roots, 
and cut off all wounded parts, paring the wound smooth. Hold 
the tree upright on its little mound in the hole of prepared soil ; 
extend the roots, and cover them carefully with the remaining pul- 
verized soil. As much of the success of transplanting depends 
on bringing the soil in contact with every fibre, so as to leave 
no hollows to cause the decay of the roots, not only must this be 
secured by patiently filling-in all cavities among the roots, but 
when the trees are not quite small, it is customary to pour in a 
pail of water when the roots are nearly all covered with soil. 
This carries the liquid mould to every hidden part. After the 
water has settled away, fill up the hole, pressing the earth gently 
about the tree with the foot, but avoiding the common practice 
of shaking it up and down by the stem. In windy situations it 
will be necessary to place a stake by the side of each tree to 
aold it upright, until it shall have taken firm root in the soil, but 
it is not needful in ordinary cases. 
