I04 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



of growth ; but if used for the purpose suggested, it would be 

 protected by the surrounding crop. It is not very particular as 

 to soil, but does best on a strong, fresh loam. One advantage 

 gained by using Abies nobilis is that it does not need protection 

 against rabbits. I have seen hundreds grown where rabbits 

 were plentiful, and have never yet seen more than one or two 

 small twigs damaged. As a timber-tree I should class it as 

 equal to the silver fir. As an ornamental tree there are few that 

 surpass it for beauty and grandeur. 



David Stewart. 



Planting with the Mattock. 

 This method may be practised on rocky, rough, heath-clad 

 mountain sides, and is the best method of planting on exposed 

 situations, owing to the benefit which the plant derives from the 

 shelter which the pit (made under this method of planting) 

 affords it until it becomes firmly established. The handle of 

 the mattock is 3^^ feet long, the broad end, which is shaped much 

 like an adze, being 16 inches long, and the pointed or pick end 

 17 inches long. The adze end is used to pare off the sward, 

 heath, or other obstructions which may be in the way of clearing 

 a seat for the plant ; the pick end is then used to open up the 

 soil to the required depth. When working on a steep hillside, 

 the soil should be drawn towards the operator, who stands with 

 his face to the hill, and the planting operation is then performed 

 with an ordinary garden trowel. The trowel is inserted into the 

 soil in the centre of the pit, and is drawn towards the planter 

 with the right hand. The roots of the plant are then placed, 

 with the left hand, in the hole thus made, and the soil is allowed 

 to fall back by withdrawing the trowel ; the plant is then given 

 a slight upward shake so as to bring the roots into their natural 

 position. The rest of the soil is then filled in, and the whole is 

 firmed with the foot, care being taken to leave the front of the 

 pit higher than the back, so as to catch and retain the moisture, 

 which would otherwise, as in notch-planting, run off over the 

 surface. Stones which may have been taken from the soil 

 during the first operation, should be placed round the edges of 

 the pit so as to afford as much shelter as possible to the young 

 plant. 



Thomas Hall. 



