26 PLANTING. 



Experience fully confirms that principle ~of vegetable physiology 

 which tenches that robust, healthy plants, whether in the seedling stage of 

 growth or of a larger size, succeed better than those of stinted growth, even 

 when transplanted to the least favourable soil and exposure.* 



Where the land to be planted with forest-trees is an extensive tract and 

 remotely situated, and where the seeds of the several kinds can be procured 

 genuine, of good quality, and at a small cost, the formation of a private 

 nursery may be advisable ; but where the plants can be procured from a 

 reasonable distance, it will be found the most economical and effective to 

 purchase them from the nurseryman, and even in the former case one or 

 two years' seedlings should be procured in place of seeds, as a saving of 

 time and expense. The following are essential points to be considered in 

 establishing' an effective nursery : fencing 1 , shelter, aspect, soil, and 

 management. The fence of a forest-tree nursery requires to be rabbit- 

 j)roof t or loss and disappointment are almost certain to follow. A founda- 

 tion of brick-work should be made for a superstructure of close paling. 

 Where shelter is not an object, a very cheap and excellent substitute is 

 found in iron wire-netting, which is manufactured for the general purposes 

 of fences to young plants. Shelter is indispensable to the free grow th of 

 seedling plants, the injurious consequences resulting to which from sudden 

 checks have already been mentioned, as also the bad effects of confined 

 air to the health and prosperity of trees in every stage of growth ; and 

 therefore, at the same time that a full protection against cold, bleak winds 

 and unfavourable aspects is necessary, a full and free circulation of 

 atmospheric air must be secured, to allow of a well-grounded hope of 

 success. 



The soil of the nursery must be of an intermediate quality as to mois- 

 ture and dryness, not less than eighteen inches deep to the subsoil, and 

 under a south, east, or west exposure, or intermediate points of these. 

 The varieties of soil required for particular kinds of trees will have to be 

 supplied where the. natural soil is deficient, as has already been specified 

 when .speaking of the seeds of trees, (p. 13.) 



Management. This head comprehends an ample degree of practical 

 skill in the superintendent and workmen ; the erection of proper sheds, 

 the means of carriage for composts, soils, plants, &c., immediately when 

 ni'i-ded. A quantity of compost and different soils should always be in 

 readiness when wanted for the seedling beds, layer stools, and cutting- 

 beds, and a proper assortment of nursery garden tools, which shall be 

 specifiedjiereafter. The preparation of the soil, the' mode of sowing, and 

 the different kinds of forest-tree seeds, have already been described. All 

 kinds of forest trees, however, are not raised from seeds, either because 



* It is difficult to give a definition of what is termed a nJms/, hculHnj />/<itit, so as to apply 

 I'tree wherein the habits of growth vary in every individual species. The 

 ccllence cannot he estimated statically, or by weight and measure, but eompa- 

 v. A number of minute discriminating characters, collectively, are readily distin- 

 guished by the eye, but when taken separately cannot be usefully described in words. A 

 .ithy plant, not exceeding f lu . years' growth, may be said to have equally divided 

 the principal ones of moderate length well furnished with secondary rootlets, and 

 v. ith numerous fibres; the st. in straight, and possessing a girth or diameter pro- 

 portionate to its length; the bark clean, with an epidermis on the young wood exhibiting 

 ..if bursting or giving way to the increasin;;- si/,- of the parenchyma, par- 

 ticularly in the s* Of autumn ; the buds full in sixe and not crowded ; the 

 leave 1. and of tin: natural colour. The opposite of this state, trom the 

 effect* of n poor or ungeui.il soil, exhibits all these characteristics in a diminished form 

 and number ; the opposite extreme or unhealthy state of a plant, from the eifects of over- 

 richness of soil, may be supposed ; for in our experience we have never met with ail instance 

 of the kind, to have all these parts of the structure in an enlarged excess. 



