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the divisions of the nerves, where they have a Whllelnthenurserytheplantsshouldbekcptclcan 



close thick pubescence. The male catkins are IVoni weeds, by being trequently hoed among, 



sessile at the ends of the branches, usually by and having the earth well stirred and loosened 



threes ; they are two inches Ions, the thickness between them. During this period all such 



of a swan's quill, and the scafes ferruL'inoiis : plants as are crooked and not handsome m their 



the female catkins, one on each side, having two growth, or which are of slow and imperfect 



or three bundles between the shining-brown growth, should be cut over close to the surface 



testaceous scales, coming out with a leaf or of the ground, in order that they may shoot up 



two, alternate on the peduncles : when in flower again in better forms. 



they are of a brownish green colour, and of an This is the best method ot increasing all the 



oblono- cylindric form: when ripe they are varieties of both the common and other species, 



smaller than those of the common Alder, not as they are liable to degenerate when raised from 



divaricate, and in other respects different. It seeds 



is a native of different parts of Switzerland 



There are many varieties : as the Cut-leaved, 

 the Dwarf Alpine, the Long-leaved, and the 

 liose-flowered Hoary Alder. 



Culture. — The soils most suited to the culture 

 of the Birch are those of the light black loamy 

 kind, on a drv sandy or gravelly substratum. 

 In those of the inore moist and retentive descrip- 

 tions, it grows with rapidity, but soon decays, 

 and the wood is not so valuable. It grows 

 more slowly on those of the light sandy or gra- 

 velly kinds, and where the situation is exposed ; 

 but the timber is better 



With the common sort it is recommended by 

 some, as the best and most ready method of pro- 

 viding this sort of plants, where it can be done, 

 to collect them from woods or other jilaces where 

 the\- have risen naturally from seeds. They mostly 

 succeed well when removed to better soils, and 

 more open situations. 



The fourth species, besides being raised in the 

 two tirst of the above methods, is capable of 

 being increased by cuttings of different sizes, 

 when planted in such situations as are inclined 

 to be moist. When these have had two or three 

 years jrrowth they may be removed into the 



All the species are capable of being raised by places where they are to remain. They likewise 



sowino- the seeds ; collected when the scales in- grow well from large cuttings usually termed 



closin? them begin to open in the autumn, on truncheons, when planted out m such situations 



-narrow beds of light earth, either at the above as the above. These should be formed to the 



period or in the early spring months, covering length of from two to three feet m length, being 



them in a very slight "manner. When the young set one-third into the ground, holes being first 



plants appear they should be kept clean from made for their reception, and the bark wholly 



weeds, and after they have attained sufficient preserved upon the parts which are thus intro- 



<rrowth be planted out in rows in the nursery- duced. Upon this being perfectly attended to, 



around, at the distance of six, eight, or much of the success of the planter depends, 



t'welve inches from each othher, having spaces The last species naturally affects such soils as 



of from eighteen inches to two feet between are of the poor sandy or gravelly kinds: it may 



them. In Ihese situations they may remain of course be employed where other trees cannot 



till they have attained a growth'sufficient to be be introduced. It is capable of being reared in 



planted out in the pleasure-ground, as live, six, the same methods as the other species. 



or ei<rht feet in height. In die American sorts All the different species and varieties of these 



the seeds arc supplfed by the ships from thence, trees, when introduced in proper mixture with 



They may also be iiicreased by layers made others of the deciduous kind, in large plantations, 

 from the young shoots of two-years growth. In 

 order to effect this, a few trees of the best sorts 

 wanted should be headed down in the autumn 

 to the ground, to form shoots, which, by send- 

 ing out lateral branches in a plentiful manner 



in the spring, fully answer the purpose. These , • , 



are plashed and laid down into the mould, with able appearance, when planted singly on exten- 



their smaller shoots, when of sufficient growth ; sive lawns or open spaces. The foliage in the 



all of which soon strike root, and become fit to Alder, though full and pleasing, is but seldom 



be taken off and planted out in the nursery- observed in the plantations or other parts of or- 



ground, in rows, at similar distances to the above, namented grounds. It would seem, however, to 



when they have had a twelvemonth's growth, deserve a place in such situations in all its diife- 

 These stools continue to afford supplies of fresh rent varieties. 

 shoots, for being laid down, for several years. From the juice of the common Birch, col- 



clumps, wilderness quarters, and belts of pbnt- 

 ing on the sides or other parts of pleasure- 

 grounds, produce a good effect, affording 

 much diversity by the great variety in their 

 foliage and colour. The Weeping Birch and 

 some of the other sorts have likewise an agree- 



