276 ON ORNAMENTAL PLANTING. 



elasticity of the vapour should be maintained by wetting the 

 floor but after a certain period, a great degree of dryness should 

 be allowed to prevail, to enable the tree to ripen its wood, and 

 form the winter productions for its buds. In this its treatment 

 differs from that of the tropical plants, which require no such 

 change, and to which, on the contrary, it would be highly detri- 

 mental. The same observation applies to forcing-houses for 

 peaches, and other similar kind of trees. As soon as the fruit is 

 all matured, they should be freely exposed to the changes of the 

 weather. 



Hort. Transactions. 



ARTICLE VI. 

 ON ORNAMENTAL PLANTING. 



BY J. STUART MENTEITll, ESQ. OF CLOSEEURN. 



Havino perused the following article with great satisfaction, we 

 have been induced to insert it in the Cabinet from the belief that 

 it will bo both interesting and beneficial to our readers: — 



A taste for improvement of this kind has, no doubt, already 

 commenced amongst us ; but it might be greatly promoted by 

 calling the attention of the public more frequently to the beau- 

 ties and advantages of this species of ornament. 



The few following hints are offered for the purpose of awaken- 

 ing a taste for this elegant pursuit. 



Though there are not many ornamental plants natives of Scot- 

 land, yet nature has furnished not a few which may be readily na- 

 turalized to our climate. 



Of these there are various kinds and varieties ; and to select 

 from among them what will best answer particular soils and sit- 

 uations, must be left to the skill of individuals. Those which we 

 are about to enumerate, with few or no exceptions, thrive in 

 most ordinary situations, or in any soil. 



The following, denominated the tree-evergreens, deserve the 

 first attention, viz., the Scotch, the silver, and the spruce firs. 

 The last is by far the handsomest of the fir tribe, having its 

 branches long and tapering, beautifully curved or bended up- 

 wards, and with its tall elegant stem rising like a lofty pyramid, 

 £ow£rs over all the trees of the grove. 



