362 SYLVA AMERICANA. 



individually of the most healthy growth, a point of the last 

 importance in ornamental effect. 



For low, damp and boggy soils, the alder, ash, birch, and the 

 willow, are the best. 



Transplanting trees of large growth for immediate effect 

 properly belongs to another division of the subject, ornamental 

 planting. It may not be unnecessary, however, to state shortly 

 the principles of the practice as lately brought forward by Sir H. 

 Stewart, in his Planters' Guide. These are to take up the tree, 

 with all its roots, fibres and rootlets, and also the green or external 

 system of branches and buds entire and unbroken, then to 

 transplant these roots, rootlets, and external system of the tree in 

 the same perfect state. The soil into which such trees are 

 transplanted should be of a superior quality to that from whence 

 they were taken, or at least that portion of it applied immediately 

 to the rootlets should have an addition of very rotten manure. 

 A point of great importance to success is the selection of the 

 subjects. 1st. The tree should have a superior thickness and 

 induration of the bark compared to that of trees which have 

 grown up in a crowded state. 2d. Stoutness and superior girt 

 of stem. 3d. Numerousness of roots, fibres and rootlets. And 

 4th, extent, balance and closeness of branches. Where a tree, 

 otherwise desirable, possesses not these protecting properties, it 

 should be provided with them previous to transplanting by 

 uncovering the roots partially, so as not to injure the stability of 

 the tree during the process. To' these exposed roots is applied 

 a compost of fine earth, into which they shoot, and produce in 

 two or three years numerous rootlets fit for transplanting. The 

 overgrown branches are reduced so as to balance the top on 

 every side, if it require it. To assist the bark, sirch trees as 

 intercept the air and solar rays are removed. These effects are 

 also produced to the roots by cutting a trench at a proper 

 distance from the stem round the roots, and filling up the trench 

 with good soil ; in two or three years, the roots will be increased 

 in numerous ramifications as in the former mode. 



