EDITOB'S TABLE. 



the sooner to become establisheil, nuJ that it imist bo whi»lly, but gnvliuilly, reinovcil, na the 

 lattor become sufHciontly robust to be independent of sueli nstiistance. 



"In selecting phuita for the permanent specimens, s-omc cure will be necessary, as much of 

 the ultimate success will depend on the character of those empluyed. As n general rule, in pro- 

 portion to the exposure of the situation, should the jjlants ehosi'n be smaller, always however 

 supposing them to be thoroughly healthy and robust, and such as have not previously been 

 favored by soil or situation to an undue extent. Nothing is gained by employing large plants in 

 exposed places. On the contrary, much time is often lost by the practice, even though they 

 should be in the best possiljle condition. The larger and taller the jilant^, the more are they 

 exposed to the untoward circumstances consequent on the situation.* Plants of but a few feet 

 in height, when placed in exposed situations, require the as-^istancc of a stake, or the winds 

 quickly damage them to a great extent ; and the utmost care will not wholly j)reserve them from 

 injury. And when others of eight or ten feet in height, as are sometimes employed, with the 

 intention of producing immediate effect, are placed iu similar situations, they frequently prove 

 worse than useless. Two or three stakes are required to each, to enable them to withstand the 

 influence of the gales; but no amount of available supj)ort will prevent them from being dis- 

 turbed. The action, though slight at first, is every day augmented. They become loosened in 

 the earth. Water — especially if the soil is tenacious — accumulates at the base of the stem and 

 about the roots, chilling and retarding their vegetative powers. During this, rapid evaporation 

 is draining the tissues of the plants, the loss of which tiieir dormant powers can not recruit. 

 Death, or an approximation, ensues. The foliage dies, and their appearance is calculated to dis- 

 figure rather than to beautify the places they occupy. Nor do matters often assume a more 

 cheerful aspect with those which survive to the following season. Sometimes a feeble attempt 

 at vegetation is perceived, but it too often proves an expiring effort. Many will linger on for 

 yeai-s, and a few ultimately succeed. But not only would time and labor have both been econ- 

 omised, but the desired result have been more fully arrived at, by adopting the apparerilli/ slower 

 means of employing young trees, and taking the necessary precaution to ensure their success. 



" There are, of course, many situations, where large trees can not only be planted with perfect 

 safety, but where it will be highly requisite to do so, and where no risk will attend their removal, 

 if ordinary precautions are taken. It is in open and exposed situations that we are endeavoring 

 to show the inexpediency of employing them. 



For several years after planting, the soil about the trees should be fi-equcntly stirred, all weeds 

 destroyed, and every obstruction to their progress removed : and as those employed for shelter 

 encroach upon the permanent specimeus, they should be curtailed, and, when necessary, wholly 

 removed ; in fact, their removal should be eflected before they encroach. By thus progressively 

 destroying the shelter, sometimes a few branches, and occasionaly a whole tree, as circumstances 

 seem to demand, the change is gradually produced and no injurious cheek results to the remaining 

 plants. Of course, the shelter from the boundaries of the groups, and from the most exposed 

 situations, will be the last removed. And for the purpose of giving depth and massiness to some 

 of the larger groups, a part of the common trees may be left as a back-ground to the more valua- 

 ble specimens. And such an arrangement could be provided for to a greater extent by keeping 

 it in view when j^lanting. 



" It will frequently be found highly advantageous to include what are ultimately to be detached 

 groups and single trees into one common plantation when young. A greater amount of shelter 

 will be afforded, and each tree, while it assists to protect the other, will participate in the general 

 benefit. And when the whole of the shelter is ultimately removed, the permanent trees will 

 appear in their intended positions and relations. 



So sensible are the Scotch planters of the disadvantage of employing large trees upon their bleak mountain sides, 

 neighboring nurserymen find plants beyond two or three feci high as almost dead stock ; the sale for such 

 limited, that any forest trees beyond that height are generally rooted out and useil as fire-wood. 



