PLANTING. 45 



to rear one species of tree better than another. When these different soils 

 are, therefore, planted with the different trees best adapted to each, masses 

 of diversified outline will adorn the landscape, having all the effect of a 

 tasteful design, and the trees will be individually of the most healthy 

 growth, a point of the last importance in ornamental effect. 



Experience proves that, for elevated situations, the Scotch fir, Pinus 

 sylvestriSy the Norway spruce, Pimis abies, the larch, Pinus larix, the 

 hooked pine, Pinus uncinatus, the birch, Betula alba, the sycamore, Acer 

 pseudo-platanus, and the mountain ash, Pyrus aucuparia, are the most 

 profitable : these, with the silver fir, Pinus picea, black Italian poplar, 

 Populus nigra, the alder, Alnus glutinosa, and the Bedford Willow, Salix 

 Russelliana, according to the soil, are also the best adapted to plant as 

 nurses for rearing the more valuable timber trees. 



For low, damp, and boggy soils, the alder, ash, birch, abele-tree, and 

 the willow, are the best. 



To resist the effects of the sea-blasts, the sycamore, pinaster, yew, and 

 laburnum have all been found superior to most kinds of trees. The live 

 oak is a very tender tree, and will not exist in England. The habits of 

 the live oak (Quercut virens) offer a prospect of this tree being serviceable 

 for the above important purpose. It is a native of South Carolina, and 

 there it is seldom found above twelve miles from the sea-coast. It thrives 

 best when growing on isolated spots or little islands entirely surrounded 

 by salt water. On the estate of Middleburg, situated on the Cooper river, 

 twenty-four miles from Charlton, South Carolina, belonging to J. Lucas, 

 Esq. of New Cross, Surrey, live oak trees averaging twenty-five feet in 

 height, and nine inches in diameter, were selected from the woods by that 

 gentleman and planted in the form of an avenue to his residence. The 

 trees were taken up with as many of the fibrous roots as possible. The 

 tops were lightened by partially reducing the size and number of the 

 branches. Every tree succeeded well, and in the space of two or three 

 years from the time of transporting they were not to be distinguished from 

 those in the neighbourhood which had grown unmolested. These facts 

 shew that this tree is of hardy vivacious habits, and being also an ever- 

 green, warrants a fair trial of its merits on the coasts of England. 



Transplanting trees of large growth for immediate effect properly belongs 

 to another division of the subject, ornamental planting. It may not be un- 

 necessary, however, to state shortly the principles of the practice as lately 

 brought forward by Sir H. Stewart, in his Planters* Guide. These are to 

 take up the tree, with all its roots, fibres, and rootlets, and also the green 

 or external system of branches and buds entire arid unbroken, then to 

 transplant these roots, rootlets, and external system of the tree in the same 

 perfect state. The soil into which such trees are transplanted should be 

 of a superior quality to that from whence they were taken, or at least that 

 portion of it applied immediately to the rootlets should have an addition of 

 very rotten manure. A point of great importance to success is the selec- 

 tion of the subjects. 1st. The tree should have a superior thickness and 

 induration of the bark compared to that of trees which have grown up in a 

 crowded state. *2d. Stoutness and superior girt of stem. 3d. Numerous- 

 ness of roots, fibres, and rootlets. And, 4th, extent, balance, arid closeness 

 of branches. Where a tree, otherwise desirable, possesses not these pro- 

 tecting properties, it should be provided with them previous to transplant- 

 ing by uncovering the roots partially, so as not to injure the stability of the 

 tree during the process. To these exposed roots is applied a compost of 

 fine earth, into which they shoot, and produce in two or three years nume- 

 rous rootlets fit for transplanting. The overgrown branches are reduced so 



