Advantages of Early Planting. 



By D. T. fish, Hakdwicke, Bury St. Edmund's, Suffolk. 



These may be briefly summarized as including more time, more work, 

 more beat, more growing force, and in consequence a larger per- 

 centage of success. It is obvious that the early planter has more 

 time for his work than the late planter. Beginning towards the end 

 of October he may continue planting till February, — not that such an 

 extension of the planting season into the new year is desirable. But 

 lie can afford to go about the work in a more leisurely manner than 

 he who defers his planting till the new year. It ia then too often 

 done in haste, and without that due regard for thoroughness which 

 ought to distinguish such a solid and lasting operation as that of the 

 planting of a tree for life. " Marrj^ in haste, repent at leisure," is 

 equally applicable to the planting of trees. Spurts are allowable at 

 the oar or on the course, but trees planted in spurts mostly perish in 

 the most leisurely and provoking manner. The early planter has also 

 the selection of time in his power. It is an immense practical advan- 

 tage not to be obliged to plant in unfavourable weather. The early 

 planter may plant when it suits him or the trees ; the late planter, 

 who has much to do, must plant be the weather and soil what they 

 may. Trees should not be planted in mud, nor during sharp frosts, 

 nor drying easterly winds. The first swamps or rots the roots ; the 

 second paralyze their power ; and the last dry up the larger part of 

 their vital juices. By starting early, making every possible prepara- 

 tion beforehand, and promptly seizing every opportunity that offers, 

 the early planter will generally be able to keep abreast of his work 

 and complete his planting in good time, and in the surest manner to 

 command success. The command of the old Earl of Haddington, on 

 his-death bed, to his son John, to " be aye sticking in a tree, Jock," 

 has done perhaps as much harm as good. For while it cannot be 

 doubted it led him and many other Scotch lairds to plant exten- 

 sively, it likewise gave rise to much careless and slovenly planting, 

 which was fruitful of many deaths and preposterously slow progress. 

 Planting should be something more and better than the mere sticking 

 of trees into the earth anyhow and almost at any time. The time is, in 

 fact, a powerful factor in the ojDeration ; and the six weeks included 



