Seaside Planting 79 



I have found it to be a good plan where shelter is wanted 

 on bare coast-tracts, if the quality of soil be at all suitable, 

 to plant the alders pretty closely, and when they have 

 attained to 15 ft. or 20 ft. in height, to cut every alternate 

 one over at ground level. By so doing a number of stout 

 shoots are thrown out early in the following spring, which, 

 as they grow with great rapidity, soon fill up the blanks 

 occasioned by cutting over the young trees. 



After these have had several years' growth the remaining 

 half of the original crop should be cut over, and when all 

 have started from the stools a first-class shelter is obtained. 

 Of course, damp portions of the ground should be selected 

 on which to plant the alder. 



The English Maple (Acer campeslre) can well hold its 

 own as a tree for planting on exposed seaside grounds. 

 It is one of the hardiest trees with which I am acquainted, 

 growing on exposed hillsides and at considerable elevations 

 in a way that seems to attract the attention of every one. 



Hedges or fringe fences of the native maple have suc- 

 ceeded amazingly in several maritime woods in which it was 

 planted, and in places, too, where the wind blew loud 

 and long. 



The Scotch Elm (Ulmus montana) comes next on the 

 list of such trees as I would recommend for the purpose 

 under consideration. It affords plenty of shelter, as it 

 grows freely from the root-stock, sending up numerous 

 suckers, and is so hardy and proof against damage from 

 storms that it may safely be planted in wind-swept districts 

 by the seaside. 



Birch (Betula alba) and Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) are 

 other trees that repeated experiments have proved to be 

 well suited for withstanding the ocean's blast and for plant- 

 ing in poor, rocky soils. 



The Turkey Oak (Quercus Cerris), with just a small 

 amount of shelter, will be found a most valuable tree for 

 planting within the influence of the sea. It thrives well 

 in very poor soils, and when in full leaf is capable of affording 

 a great amount of shelter. 



The Evergreen Oak (Q. Ilex) has proved itself to be 



