318 ON THE CULTIVATION OF TREES. 



The birch is well calculated for roads, if the soil be 

 sandy ; it thrives in a cold climate and in elevated situa- 

 tions, and the lightness of its foliage is an additional ad- 

 vantage in such temperatures. 



The sycamore is a beautiful tree for avenues. The 

 horn-beam is objectionable only on account of the slow- 

 nees of its growth. The aspen, the ash, and the poplar, 

 are well adapted to a moist soil, as they help to drain it. 

 An avenue of poplars is not picturesque, it is true, but it 

 affords almost as much shelter from the wind as a wall, 

 and in some situations this is very desirable. 



Emily. A few poplars, interspersed with other trees, 

 form, I think, beautiful groups ; but an avenue of poplars 

 is associated with the idea of marshy ground, and from its 

 formality is extremely ugly. 



Mrs. B. In planting trees by the road-side, tlje holes 

 should be made both deep and wide ; for the ground not 

 being cultivated is hard and compact, and the young roots 

 would be unable to penetrate it, were it not prepared and 

 lightened by the pickaxe or the spade. 



The young trees should never be headed or lopped ; it 

 thickens their foliage, but destroys the natural character 

 of the tree. Some of their lateral branches may be slight- 

 ly pruned ; for as the branches in general correspond with 

 the roots, the more erect the former grow, the more the 

 roots will descend into the soil. 



Caroline. The beauty of the greater part of the trees 

 on the Continent, is spoiled by the merciless mode they 

 have of heading them when young, in order to make them 

 grow thick and bushy. 



Mrs. B. In transplanting young trees, the more they 

 are lopped, the more certainty there is of their living ; and 

 nurserymen who usually supply them, and warrant their 

 taking root, make no scruple to amputate both head and 

 branches. 



Caroline. The life of the plant may be thus secured, 

 but it no longer deserves the name of a tree ; it is a stake, 



1718. What is said of the birch for this use 1 ? 1719. Of the syca- 

 more, the hornbeam, the aspen, the ash, and the poplarl 1720. In 

 the planting trees by the side of the road why should the holes be deep 

 and widel 1721. What is said of heading or lopping young trees! 

 1722. What effect does this have on their living'! 



