FOREST AND FRUIT TREE CULTURE. 29 



than the length of the roots, and even more, if the soil was poor, 

 filling up with good soil, the trees thereby getting a good start. 



Except in extreme cases I would not advise any one to trans- 

 plant large trees. In the first place it is very expensive, and next 

 the chances of success are not nearly so great as with smaller 

 trees. Still, there are times when a good sized tree requires to be 

 removed, to save those that are around it ; in such cases the 

 removal may be worth trying, for, if attended with success, a 

 naked appearance may be remedied at once. Great care will be 

 required in the operation, making sure to trim all the broken roots. 

 But, as a general thing, good nursery trees, of ordinary size, will 

 give more satisfaction in a few years, as there will be more uni- 

 formity in their growth and general appearance. 



If a tree dies in the pleasure grounds after it has attained a 

 large size, it is of little use to attempt to fill the blank by planting 

 a young tree, the othei'S having taken possession of the ground 

 with both roots and branches. 



The larch is not valued as its good qualities deserve. Its tan- 

 ning properties are second only to those of the oak ; it is of great 

 durability, piles of oak driven in the river Thames having been 

 replaced twice, while those of larch, in the same situation, re- 

 mained unchanged. When larch trees have been denuded of their 

 branches and bark in the month of May, and left to stand for a 

 year, the timber, so prepared, has been found remarkably free 

 from tendency to warp. 



It is ver}' necessary to stud}' the habits of trees and the size to 

 which they will grow, especially in ornamental grounds. The 

 neglect to do so has caused many mistakes and much disappoint- 

 ment. Not unfrequently we have seen Norway spruces, hemlocks, 

 Scotch firs, etc., planted within three feet of an avenue thi'ough a 

 lav/n, and immediately behind these large trees, such fine shrubs 

 as rhododendrons, azaleas, kalmias, and roses. In a few years the 

 trees grew over the shrubs and ruined them ; whereas, if the case 

 had been reversed, the beauty of the shrubs would have been pre- 

 served, and the trees would have made a good background for 

 them. I know of one case where the trees had to be taken up 

 after they had killed the shrubs, and the place is now as bare as it 

 was when the house was built, now nearly twenty years ago. 



Ever}' one who owns, or even rents a suburban residence, Avould 

 add much to his own comfort and enjoyment, as well as to his 



