ARBORICULTURE. 351 



the centre, and on the side next himself; then bending 

 the handle towards himself and almost to the ground, 

 the earth opening in fissures from the centre in the di- 

 rection of the cuts that had been made, be, at the same 

 instant, inserts his plant at the point where the spade 

 plate cix. intersected the ray (Plate 109 ), pushing it forward 

 to the centre, and assisting the roots in rambling through the 

 fissures. He then lets down the earth by removing his spade, 

 having compressed it into a compact state with his heel ; the ope- 

 ration is finished by adding a little earth with the grass side down, 

 completely covering the fissures, for the purpose of retaining the 

 moisture at the root, and likewise as a top dressing, which greatly 

 encourages the plant to push fresh roots between the swards. 



4th. The defects of the slit mode of planting are, that the 

 earth is not properly reduced in its texture to suit the tender 

 fibres of the roots of seedling plants, and the natural plants of the 

 surface are left to contend with them for the nourishment afford- 

 ed by the soil, nor can the rootlets of the young trees be disposed 

 and placed in their right positions. The least objectionable 

 practice is to cut a circular piece of the turf, a foot in diameter, 

 and lay it on one side with the surface downwards ; the work- 

 man then with his spade loosens and breaks down the texture of 

 the uncovered soil, and, by making ample space for the extension 

 of the roots of his plant in every direction, inserts it in the pul- 

 verized earth. The turf which had been reversed and laid on 

 one side, is then with a stroke of the spade divided into two equal 

 parts, and replaced on each side of the plant in its reversed posi- 

 tion. The reversed turf supports the plant against the effects of 

 the wind, retains the proper moisture of the soil, and prevents 

 the evil consequences resulting to the lateral branches of the 

 young tree, and to the healthy progress of the stem, from the un- 

 controlled growth of the herbage natural to the soil, all of which, 

 by the former modes, are rather encouraged than checked. In 

 uninclosed commons or moors, the natural herbage and shrubby 

 plants are kept under by cattle, &ic. ; but when such lands are 

 inclosed for planting, and thereby protected from stock, the 

 natural plants, which before appeared diminutive and slow of 



