473 EDITOE'8 TABLE. 



Notices of iJooks, pantfTjItts, ^c. 



Hints on Plaxtisg Orn.vjiental Tkees, wilh parlicuUir roftrenco to Couifcrx. By Standish <fc Noble. Bagsliot, 

 England. 



For some years tliorc lias been an unusual degree of interest taken in evergreen coniferous 

 trees. The amount of money cxpendeil on this class of trees is, we believe, without a 

 l)arallel in the history of tree planting in Great Britain, or in the world. The prices given 

 cheerfully for single specimens of rare sorts, has only been equalled by the memorable 

 tulip mania. This spirit remains yet in fuU vigor, and bids fair to continue for a long time 

 to come. Any one who has visited Britain recently, and looked into the parks and pleasure 

 grounds, must have been struck with the predominance of evergreens, and especially of 

 the newly introduced species, such as the Deodar Cedar, Auracaria imbricata, &c. Messrs. 

 Standish & Noble, who have issued the little manual we notice, are among tlie most 

 noted and intelligent growers of these trees, and being frequently consulted respecting the 

 character of trees and mode of i)lanting and management, have been induced to put some 

 practical instructions in this form. We wish Ave had such a book adapted to this country, 

 and we must have it soon. We transfer the following remarks to our pages, because they 

 present considerations as well worthy the attention of the planter here as in England. 



"Planting in Exposed Situations. — The position of tlic different groups and detaehed specimens 

 having been decided on, the first eonsiJcration should refer to drainage. A drain should lead 

 from or intersect each position iutendod for a single specimen, and a number in proportion to the 

 size be in connection with the spaces allotted for each group. It will not be alwaj's necessary to 

 afford separate drains to each. A judicious ap[)lication of cross-draining, made with reference to 

 the natural declivities of the ground, will equally accomplish the desired purpose. 



"The jioiut next demanding attention will be trenching. The situations for single trees should 

 be trenched to the extent of at least ten feet in diameter, and eighteen or twenty inches deep, 

 and those for the grouj^s of a like depth, and considerably wider every way than will be required 

 for the reception of the permanent trees. After the necessary draining and trenching, and if a 

 season's delay is of no moment, it will be found an excellent system to take a root crop before 

 planting. The manure and consequent cultivation will bring the soil into an excellent condition 

 for the recej^tion of plants ; and although a season is apparently lost, it will not prove so in 

 reality. The increased rapidity of growth in soil so well prepared will more than compensate 

 the seeming loss of time. 



"There will, of com-se, occur many situations where this application of manure, as far as the 

 trees intended to be planted are concerned, will be unnecessary, while in others of a very inferior 

 character, both a liberal manuring and cultivation will be requisite to bring the soil into a condi- 

 tion for their reception, with fair prospects of success. The amount of manure and subsequent 

 cultivation will, of coui'se, be given in proportion as circumstances may seem to demand them. 



"But there is an unhappy propensity prevalent to consider a tree as destitute of the ordinary 

 wants of plants in general, and to believe that if it is provided with sufficient soil to cover its 

 roots, no matter what the quahty may be, it can not possibly fail to thrive ; but, on the contrary, 

 care and attention are as imperative in preparing the soil for trees, and will be followed with 

 equally satisfactory results, as in the treatment of any other of our cultivated plants. 



"An important auxiliary to success in planting, in the kind of situ.ation we are at present 

 treating on, is shelter. From its absence alone may be attributed many failures. Tlie conditions 

 which plants enjoy while in the sheltered nursery-beds are of so ojiposite a character to what 

 they experience when removed to open situations, exposed to drying winds and scorching suns, 

 and wholly destitute of shelter, that frequent failures, where no prccautionaiy measures are taken, 

 will not upon reflection cause much surprise. 



