VI INTRODUCTION. 



be a plant propagator and plant grower, what anxiety, 

 research, expense, and loss of time I encountered to 

 find how to proceed with some particular class of plant 

 I had in hand. In the present pages I hope I have 

 obviated the necessity for all this trouble, and I trust 

 that under each head enough is detailed for all classes 

 of plants and all classes of plant growers. 



I think I may assert for a truth, that to become a 

 proficient tree and j>lant propagator is impossible within 

 a very short space of time without consulting works 01 

 reference, because it frequently happens that the pro- 

 pagation of some kinds may not practically come 

 under the observation of a person once in his life. 

 Yet by reading an article, and by working in the 

 abstract on the subject, a young man may become 

 more than half acquainted with the method of the 

 propagation of the tree or plant. To be a successful 

 forest-tree planter, a man should really know the true 

 physical and functionary powers of the plant, and this 

 can scarcely be practically known unless a man is a 

 propagator : for instance, no one will grow Oak timber 

 well unless he understands the nature of its physical 

 powers and is aware of its peculiar construction, and 

 so on with other trees and shrubs. Those who propagate 

 them are well aware of the formation of the roots, 

 and how the plants perform their functions below the 

 surface, which, no doubt, is knowledge most vital for 

 success. 



The reader will observe that I have jjlaced the most 

 common classes of trees first. I have clone so because 

 they are of more real importance to man in general 

 than the more ornamental classes ; and again, these are 

 generally passed over by most writers. I have placed 

 the Oak first, as this grand forest tree should be culti- 

 vated to a much greater extent than it is. There are 

 localities which will not grow the Oak well, and there 

 are others which will not grow the Elm ; and if a man 

 plants these indiscriminately, without making the neces- 

 sary observations beforehand, the probable result will 

 be timber at some future time not worth much. I once 



