480 Of Plantations. 



Young trees should always be raised on good land, so as 

 to carry a stock of health and strength with them from the 

 nursery. They are thus furnished with abundance of roots, 

 by means of which they are enabled to find nourishment, 

 even in poor land, having more mouths to collect it. This 

 doctrine, originally inculcated by Miller, the father of Eng- 

 lish gardening, is now almost universally admitted. 



It is a material object, that the roots should have the 

 means of growing without obstruction. In stiff heavy clays 

 therefore, it is considered an advisable practice, to trench 

 the ground two spits deep the year before the ground is 

 planted, though at an expense of about L.8 per acre. But 

 light land requires no digging ( 56l ) 



2. The great variety of trees to be found in nurseries, 

 puts it in the power of a planter, to procure a species calcu- 

 lated for his soil and climate, or for the situation in which 

 he may happen to be placed in regard to market. The 

 various sorts may be considered as adapted, 1. For elevated 

 grounds ; 2. For steep lands unfit for cultivation ; 3. For 

 low and moorish tracts ; 4>. For swampy grounds or bogs ; 

 5. For the sea-coast ; and, 6. For lands of rather a su- 

 perior quality. 



1. Plantations on elevated Lands When judiciously 

 raised, such plantations are productive of the most benefi- 

 cial effects. By the warmth which the shelter of trees oc- 

 casions, and the manure afforded from their leaves, heath is 

 destroyed, and the growth of better herbage is promoted. 

 The grasses which are thus brought forward, are sometimes 

 three weeks earlier in spring, are better in summer, and are 

 protracted for three weeks longer in autumn ( 56a ). 



The trees that thrive best in an elevated situation, are, the 

 larch; the Scotch pine or fir; the silver fir; the moun- 

 tain ash ; and the birch. In a medium elevation, the beech 

 may likewise be cultivated. 



The Larch, (Pinus larix, Linn.)( 563 ). The introduction 

 of this species of tree into the British Isles, is perhaps the 

 most important acquisition, in respect of timber, that this 

 country has ever obtained. It is a more beautiful tree than 

 the fir, vegetates more rapidly, and grows in situations 

 where it cannot be raised to any advantage. The larch, 

 when peeled, should be immediately put into water, to pre- 

 vent its splitting; but when the trees are large, they should 

 be cut into scantlings before they are watered. They should 

 remain in the water six weeks, and when taken out, should 



