Tree Growing 79 



years the Forestry Branch has insisted that the land be 

 prepared that way before material to plant it will be sup- 

 plied. It is claimed that trees set on garden land or back- 

 setting have not given the best results. Soil should be 

 not only well prepared, but also, for most trees, it should 

 be reasonably deep and well drained. There may be 

 rocks, provided they contain crevices through which water 

 can drain away and the roots pass, and the soil condition 

 still be good. An unbroken bed of rock, or the general 

 water level too near the surface, will usually injure the 

 growth. Good drainage prevents not only the presence 

 of surplus water, but also the collection of soluble mineral 

 salts. Strongly alkaline or strongly acid soil is not suitable. 



In deciding what trees to grow, there are two points 

 which need consideration before all others ; they must be 

 adapted to the climate and to the soil. Length of life, rate 

 of growth and many other things are important, but need 

 be considered only after adaptation to soil and climate is 

 assured. It does not matter how slowly or how rapidly 

 a tree grows nor how long it lives, if it will not stand our 

 climate or soil. To some extent soil and climate interact 

 on each other. For instance, if a tree has suffered for lack 

 of suitable soil, the climate may either tend to make up for 

 this unfavorable condition, or it may complete the work of 

 destruction which the soil has begun. A congenial climate 

 may make up for poor soil, or rich well-drained soil may 

 offset a severe climate. 



Sometimes the purely local conditions will decide the 

 effect of climate on a tree. A sheltered glen may support 



