RETORT ON THE HOUSTON PDTETUM. 39 



Wire netting was also put on the posts of the wire fence on the north 

 side, and done in the same manner, only the netting was put on 

 inside the posts here, in order to prevent it from being damaged by 

 cattle grazing in the adjoining field. 



These operations being completed, we next proceeded to make 

 the pits for the principal or ultimate crops : these were round, 3 feet 

 in diameter, and 18 inches deep. After the turf was neatly taken off, 

 and the soil thrown out to the desired depth, the bottom of the pit 

 was dug all round the full depth of the spade ; G inches of the soil 

 taken out was then put into the pit, and a couple of handfuls of hot 

 lime added, and thoroughly mixed with soil (this is the best thing 

 we know of for the making of fibre). All the pits being made in 

 this manner for the principal trees, we next made pits for the 

 nurses : they were 18 inches in diameter, and 12 inches deep, 

 stirred in the bottom with the spade, and 6 feet from pit to pit, all 

 over the ground. The plants, which varied in height from 1 to 2 feet 

 were then brought forward, and all the principals were planted first 

 with every care and caution. No tramping with the feet was allowed 

 until the whole of the soil was replaced ; then it got a gentle 

 tramp all round, and the plant made firm at the neck, which is all 

 that is necessary. The nurses were then pitted in the same way, 

 and all finished in a satisfactory manner. The border was next 

 proceeded with, and finished. "We refer the reader to the diagram 

 for the kinds of plants, and the arrangement on the ground. They 

 are all represented by different characters (letters, &c). The plants 

 have all done admirably well, excepting Pinus Pinsajpo andPicea 

 eephalonica ; these have not grown more than 2 inches a year since 

 they were planted, till this year, when they have made a little more. 

 The other plants have made an average growth of 7 inches ; A hies 

 Dougldsii and Pinus Laricio have succeeded best, some of them 

 having 26 inches growth this year (1872). Xo deaths have occurred 

 am6ng the pines, but about 5 per cent, of the silver firs died, which 

 were at once removed, and others put in their place. The whole 

 are now looking well, and promise to become trees of considerable 

 size. Of course we do not expect them to attain the gigantic size 

 in this country which they reach in their native land, and have kept 

 the principals a little closer than some people do in consequence. 



