1886. J liESUSCITATIOX OF CHOICE TREES. G87 



as trustworthy as those of boys in the direction of the apple 

 orchard. Failing loam, the next best top-dresser is, on the whole, 

 cocoa-fibre refuse. It is less feeding, and perhaps almost more 

 conservative alike of heat and moisture, also free from offensive 

 odour, decomposes very slowly, and finally forms a fine mould of 

 which the roots of all trees seem specially fond. ^Manures of all 

 kind ncjd much more caution and skill in their preparation and 

 application. Farmyard manure is a definition as vague as it is 

 dangerous. "Well-rotted is also too vague to be safely acted upon. 

 The surest means of diluting its strength down to safety point 

 for the top-dressing of trees is to pass it through a year of hot- 

 bed experience. The long-sustained decomposition and the lapse 

 of time will then have eliminated its cruder substances and stronger 

 gases. But until almost fine as mould and sweet as maiden 

 loam it is hardly fit to apply as top-dressing to the roots of 

 choice trees. And yet I have seen the rank dung of pigs, 

 bullocks, and pigeons applied to the roots of Auracarias, Welling- 

 tonias, and other choice conifers. Is it any wonder that the place 

 that once knew them now knows them no more ? 



Leaf-mould is almost as danf^erous as rank manure. For if the 

 latter kills plants through the strength of its excrements and the 

 pungency of its gases, the former destroys them even more 

 rapidly with its hosts of fungoids, which prey on the living roots 

 to their sudden paralysis or complete destruction. 



As maiden loam and cocoa-fibre refuse exhausts our list of 

 safe top-dressings for choice trees, lic^uid dressing seems almost a 

 misnomer. But these in dry weather form the most prompt and 

 efficient, especially among conifers. A hose of water laid over the 

 roots for an hour or two hours proves the most stimulating and 

 wholesome dressing in arid localities. Many parts, perhaps the 

 larger area of England, are too dry for coniferous trees ; and an 

 abnormally dry season checks grow^th, and disfigures and destroys 

 thousands of trees that the water-hose or the diversion of a natural 

 stream of water mi^ht have saved. 



Very weak sewage and soot water have also proved useful liquid 

 dressings for coniferous and other trees, as well as rhododendrons 

 and the majority of shrubs. 



But perhaps more than enough has been stated to recommend 

 those readers who are specially interested in the rapid growth and 

 luxuriant health of specimen trees on lawns and pleasure-grounds to 

 try top-dressing with maiden loam and cocoa-fibre refuse. 



D. T. Fish. 



