THE ADVANTAGES OF JUDICIOUS PLANTING. 



why they are so barren, waste, and un- 

 productive, when compared with other 

 lands not more favored by nature, and 

 under similar circumstances of latitude 

 and elevation, the cause will, in many 

 instances, be found in the want of.shel- 

 ter and shade of trees, and of the 

 ameliorating influence which plantations 

 exercise on ungenial local climates. 



The essential, permanent pasture 

 grasses cannot be established on naked 

 exposed situations, but when assisted by 

 the shelter of forest trees they become 

 permanent and productive. Plantations 

 supply us with fuel, with materials for 

 fencing, enclosing, building, corn crops, 

 soiling plants, and root crops are ob- 

 tained in succession under their genial 

 protection. Many thousands of acres 

 now unprofitable to the owners and to 

 the community, might, by judicious 

 planting, be reclaimed, and rendered 



highly productive ; and it may be safely 

 affirmed that there is hardly a spot of 

 waste land in the Dominion so barren, 

 which, by the exercise of skill in plant- 

 ing, and selection of proper species of 

 forest trees adapted to the soil and 

 exposure, might not be covered with 

 profitable plantations. 



Numerous instances might be cited 

 from different parts of England, Wales 

 and Scotland, where exposed and sterile 

 lands have, by planting, been made 

 capable of producing valuable arable 

 crops and the best pasture grasses, and 

 of rearing and fattening stock of im- 

 proved breeds. This, in effect, is add- 

 ing to the territorial extent of a country, 

 to its wealth and strength, by conquest 

 over the natural defects of local climate, 

 soil and exposure. 



Hamilton. Frank Brunion. 



(To be continued.) 



POT CULTURE OF HYACINTHS. 



THE cultivation of hyacinths in pots 

 will always be the most popular 

 form in which they are grown for 

 early and indoor use ; and in the 

 common flower pots, single bulbs plant- 

 ed in 3^ inch pots will answer admir- 

 ably for the ordinary amateur's use. In 

 the first place, the soil is important ; it 

 should be light, preferably mixed with 

 half well-decomposed manure is an 

 advantage, and a supply of turfy loam, 

 which will produce best results if moist 

 when the bulbs are potted. Charcoal 

 in the form of a cobble is advised, and, 

 if used, should be placed in the bottom 

 with a piece of broken crock to ensure 



drainage. In potting, simply fill in the 

 soil, press the bulb into the earth and 

 bring soil round and up to the sides of 

 the bulbs. They should be pressed 

 well into the soil, for firmness in this 

 direction is a great advantage. After 

 potting, place in a coolish location, and 

 they will not need any other treatment 

 until they begin to sprout. Directly the 

 potting is finished, we think it is best foi 

 the pots to be placed in a cool dark pit, 

 and if they are plunged in coal ashes all 

 the better. If they are potted for forc- 

 ing, they may be removed as soon as 

 their spikes come through the ashes. 

 — The Salisbury Series. 



416 



