242 The Jownal of Forestry. 



exposed ; but with a good home nursery, properly chosen, and the 

 plants frequently transplanted, these difficulties can be overcome. It 

 is observable that plants brought from low-lying nurseries and planted 

 on high exposed ground have generally much difficulty in establishing 

 themselves, and in many instances stand still for some time at first 

 even if they do not succumb entirely to the influences of the ungenial 

 change. The cause is not far to seek when we consider that few public 

 nurseries are more than 250, while some are even less than 100 feet 

 above sea-level. The effect of transplanting plants reared in these 

 nurseries, say to an altitude of 1,500 feet, is too often apparent in the 

 diminutive shoots and general weakness of the plant. It has been 

 observed that in this country there is a fall of one degree in the thermo- 

 meter on an average for every 250 feet of ascent, I am not sure if by 

 any arithmetical or meteorological process the less amount of heat 

 bestowed at any altitude can be accurately ascertained ; however, it 

 will be seen that the plants in their new location, as compared with 

 their former, receive five degrees less heat during each day, and allowing 

 150 days as the period of active vegetation, they will have received a total 

 of 750 degrees less during the season. Striking the mean temperature 

 at 55 degrees during the period of growth at the place where they were 

 reared, it would thus take fifteen days longer to elaborate the woody 

 secretions in their new position. 



This would be the case although there were no other elements to 

 retard the process of ripening, but there are also the storms and mois- 

 ture of elevated districts to contend with, which too generally have a 

 greatly retarding influence. Doubtless there are some plants more 

 accommodating, which recover from such a severe check more readily 

 than others ; but that there is a limit to this is only too evident, and 

 many of the deaths in youug plantations at a high altitude are due to 

 this fact. In illustration of the advantage of home-reared plants for 

 such situations, the writer will give one instance from his own expe- 

 rience. He was asked by his employer some years ago to replant a 

 few acres of ornamental plantation, which was situate at an altitude of 

 over 1,000 feet, being on the brow of a hill, where the soil was thin 

 and stony, and the site fully exposed to tlie westerly winds. From 

 the configuration, nature, and exposure of the ground, it was most 

 difficult to plant successfully. 



When I saw it, I resolved to plant it with trees from the home 

 nursery ; but being short at the time of the kind required, I suggested 

 to postpone planting for another year, when a sufficient quantity would 

 then be ready. It had been, I believe, twice planted before, and failed. 

 Being situated right in. front of the shooting-lodge, the proprietor 

 was anxious to see the plantation started, and I was, therefore, 

 requested to proceed with it at once, and make the most of what stuff 



