250 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
better able to withstand the transplanting to a poor soil 
than a half-starved specimen with a weakly developed root- 
system. The stronger plant, from the very fact that it has 
better developed absorptive organs, will obtain nourishment 
where a plant with poorly developed absorptive organs would 
starve. 
Experiments which have been carried out in various nurseries 
in different Continental countries have shown in a very striking 
manner that excellent results can be achieved by the use of 
artificial fertilisers. Not only are the plants larger and more 
vigorous in their growth, but they show better: balanced and 
better developed shoot- and root-systems, combined with a greater 
freedom from disease and resistance to unfavourable climatic 
conditions. Also a regular and sustained yield is obtained, 
because the fertility of the soil is thus preserved. Several forest 
nurseries, in which the soil by repeated cropping had become 
worked out, and which were on the point of being abandoned, 
were again brought up to their full yielding capacity in one 
year by the judicious use of a few simple artificial manures, 
Since artificial manures can be used with such effect in the 
nursery, the question is, can they also be used in the afforestation 
of waste, barren land or exhausted soil which is no longer 
capable of bearing crops? Very poor soil must have the 
substances taken from it by the trees replaced in order that 
their growth may be sustained and increased. 
As Dr Giersberg points out, it may not infrequently happen 
that after the removal of a fairly good crop of trees from a 
certain area, the replanting and restocking of the same area is 
found to be very difficult. The plants do not thrive, and beating 
up becomes more and more necessary, and the expenses increase 
in ratio. The formation of a canopy is extremely difficult, and 
even if the establishment of the new crop is finally achieved, 
growth may cease entirely after twenty or thirty years. <A 
remedy for this has long been sought, and it was only natural 
that one should expect the good effect of artificial manure in the 
nursery to be the same in the open. 
From among the many experiments carried out in different 
parts of the Continent, which are described and illustrated by 
means of actual photographs in Dr Giersberg’s valuable work, 
I select two, but many other striking examples could be cited. 
I, Experiment by the community of Bocholt carried out under 
