18 HINTS ON PLANTING OIINAMENTAL TREES. 



a moment's reflection on the nature and require- 

 ments of plants, be considered as likely to contribute 

 to success ; with no preparation beyond opening a 

 space in the hardened soil, barely sufficient to contain 

 the roots, and filling it with a new compost, as if 

 plants could flourish upon doses of nourishment, homceo- 

 pathically administered ; deprived of light and air and 

 moisture, and, in a word, destitute of the most obvious 

 necessities of vegetable life. That plants should exist 

 at all under the circumstances is a matter for surprise. 



To rear a new race of trees under such conditions 

 will require a large amount of labour. It will be of 

 no use to adopt half measures. Total failure will 

 assuredly be the result. 



When the wood has been cleared of such trees as 

 it may be necessary or convenient to remove, and the 

 soil properly broken up, a year should be allowed to 

 elapse before planting. During that period the rains 

 will thoroughly moisten the whole, and by occasionally 

 turning it, the influence of the sun and frost will 

 greatly ameliorate its general condition. But from 

 its being utterly exhausted of all fertilising properties, 

 a considerable amount of fresh soil should be added, 

 and incorporated with it, and that immediately about 

 the roots of each newly planted tree should consist 

 of it entirely. 



If the necessary precautions are taken, and the 

 treatment we have recommended afforded to trees 

 planted in the several situations alluded to, their 

 growth will be very rapid, and but a few years elapse 

 before they assume an effective character. 



