On the Planting of Forest-Trees. 281 



I will observe generally, that the distance at which plants should 

 be set out in nursery lines should be proportioned to the ordinary 

 rapidity of the growth of each particular kind, and the size re- 

 quired before they are planted out, and in this the planter must 

 exercise his own judgment. If a nursery be required to be long 

 in use for the progressive planting of large designs, it should in- 

 clude a sufficient space to admit of having the strength of the land 

 renewed by an occasional interchange of manured esculent crops ; 

 but if it is well prepared at the commencement, it will carry 

 three or four successive crops without change. It is almost indis- 

 pensable to have a small rough garden-house in the nursery, to 

 serve as a tool-house, and for the preservation of seeds, &c. The 

 business of transplanting should be actively prosecuted as soon as 

 the leaf has fallen, or very early in the spring ; the autumn, how- 

 ever, is always to be preferred. 



The several nurseries I have myself formed and conducted 

 were chiefly placed in such situations as I have recommended, 

 and where the ground had not been previously cultivated. After 

 such preparation, and subsequent cultivation of edible plants for 

 one or more years, the soil became thoroughly broken down and 

 pulverized, and fit for the reception of the tender roots of the 

 young forest plants and of seeds. With such management as I 

 have described, very few plants died when removed to the lines, 

 and the nurseries were entirely successful. 



I am aware that there is nothing new in all this to the initiated ; 

 it is such a course as common sense and observation would sug- 

 gest, and I believe is generally practised : nor should I have com- 

 mitted this apparent repetition, but for the argument it affords 

 with regard to the preparation for and future management of de- 

 ciduous planted trees in certain peculiar soils, whose lives have 

 commenced and whose infancy has been fostered under such 

 favourable circumstances. 



Planting. 



The proper age for planting out forest-trees must chiefly de- 

 pend upon the kind to be planted, and the nature of the soil and 

 situation. In elevated and exposed sites, such as hilly and moun- 

 tainous districts present, where there are no weeds that are likely 

 to injure the young plants by overtopping and whipping them, 

 and where larch and fir are the only suitable kinds, they are 

 generally most successful when planted out very young ; the larch 

 as two-years' seedlings, and the Scotch and spruce one year 

 transplanted. 



In such situations, when plants of these ages are used, they are 

 best planted by means of the diamond-dibble — an instrument 

 with a heart-shaped or lancet-bit 10 inches long and 5 inches 



VOL. III. u 



