l^S Transactions of the Horticultural Society. 



equally so, if the plants are tall, to save them from being dis- 

 placed by winds after they shall have taken fresh root ; and 

 the third also is necessary, in case of a dry summer, the first 

 after the transplantation of the trees, to protect the soil from 

 over-drought whilst they are striking fresh root into it. The 

 stones, placed as I have described, are a sufficient fence against 

 horned cattle, which, having feet made for going upon soft 

 ground, will not mount the rugged surface of the stones. 

 Sheep and deer will scarcely annoy trees whose bark has 

 acquired roughness ; but they may be easily repelled by a few 

 thorns bound round the lower part of the stems. Nor will 

 common horses go upon the stones, or endeavour to touch the 

 trees, and tear off the bark ; but against high-bred horses, 

 which are disposed to attack every thing of wood, the stones 

 are not a sufficient fence, unless they are packed with a surface 

 very rugged, and extended 6 ft. round the tree. Against dis- 

 placement by winds, the stones are a better security than can 

 be provided by any manner of staking or binding ; for they are 

 a power always in action by their weight, and the surface of 

 the soil is shaded by them from the too great power of the 

 sun, whilst the rains sink through and encourage the roots to 

 sprout afresh, and extend themselves through the soil: thus 

 they serve the purpose of mulching. 



" The best trees to plant out ai'e certainly those whose roots 

 and heads have been properly thinned by pruning and culti- 

 vation in a nursery. Such may be planted out at greater ages 

 and sizes than trees taken from plantations of a few years' 

 growth, and will both strike fresh roots more certainly and 

 grow faster ; but these last may be taken up when from 1 to 

 20 or 25 ft. high, and planted out with full success, provided 

 the two following particulars are observed : first, to get up 

 as much root as possible ; next, to reduce the branches down 

 to due proportion with the root which has been got up. A 

 great part of the root is unavoidably lost in the taking up of 

 the tree, and it is the most efficient part, being the extreme 

 fibres. The root has thus lost its natural proportion to the 

 head, and is now insufficient to supply it with moisture. Trees 

 planted out in this state often, after having put forth their 

 leaves, die suddenly ; and others, which continue to live, will 

 fall into a languid state, and die off gradually, or recover their 

 vigour very slowly." 



[{End of Vol. VII. Part II., being all that is published.) 



