CHAPTER II. 



SOIL AND PLANTING. 



We desire in this chapter to point out many of the evil 

 practices into which planters, in this country, too fre- 

 quently fall ; as well as to give a few concise instructions 

 in regard to the proper time and manner of transplant- 

 ing, selection and preparation of soils, etc. These rules 

 are the fundamental principles upon which everything 

 else depends; for, if correct ideas are wanting at the 

 commencement, failure will inevitably be the result. 



In planting evergreens on a lawn, care must be observed 

 to ascertain whether the soil is suitable for their healthy 

 growth and subsequent development. With a very few 

 exceptions, the Conifers prefer a light, sandy subsoil, open 

 and porous, that will admit of a perfect drainage, yet 

 with a deep, rich surface soil, to afford a proper supply 

 of healthy nourishment to sustain the large quantity of 

 fibres with which their roots are furnished. 



We have closely observed for a number of years that 

 on stiff, clayey soils, or those which are retentive of moist- 

 ure, the half-hardy species will inevitably be killed, or 

 what is more annoying, be severely injured. Experiments 

 in various parts of the country, in regard to this particular, 

 have always decided that much more depends upon the 

 quality of the soil, than on the temperature of the atmos- 

 phere. The reason of this is obvious ; for, in almost every 

 instance where an unacclimated tree has been injured, we 

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