ON RURAL EMBELLISHMENT. 257 



evergreen trees is later than that for the deciduous, and 

 is just before they commence vegetation.'''' These direc- 

 tions are ail good ; yet we would amend, or rather add 

 to, the one which regards the time for transplanting ever- 

 greens. We transplant them just after vegetation has 

 commenced — have transplanted in July, with entire suc- 

 cess — and our friend, Michael Floy, of New York, a 

 professional nurseryman, prefers the month of August. 

 He showed us, the other day, several large firs, which had 

 been planted at that season, in front of his grounds at Har- 

 lem, all of which lived and did well. We think evergreens 

 should be planted ichen the tree is growing — as the foliage 

 requires a constant supply of nourishment through the 

 roots ; and if the functions of these are dormant, as they 

 are likely to be when evergreens are transplanted while 

 vegetation is at rest, the foliage is apt to wither, and the 

 plant to die ; and the only danger to be feared from trans- 

 planting these trees at midsummer, is that which arises 

 from excessive evaporation. To guard against this, as 

 much earth should be lifted with the roots as is practica- 

 ble, the holes for their reception should be large and deep, 

 filled to the proper height for the roots of the tree with 

 loose mould, and well saturated with water ; the surface 

 around the tree should be well strowed with litter, and 

 this well wet, and superficially covered with earth, and the 

 plants occasionally watered if the weather is hot and dry. 



As to the effect of planting, upon the beauty of the 

 landscape^ Mr. A. J. Downing, in a well-written article 

 upon this subject, justly remarks, — 



" Many a dreary and barren prospect maybe rendered 

 interesting, — -many a natural or artificial deformity hidden, 

 and the effects of almost every landscape may be im- 

 proved, simply by the judicious employment of trees. 

 The most fertile countries would appear but a desert 

 w^ithout them, and the most picturesque scenery in every 

 part of the globe has owed to them its highest charm. 

 Added to this, by the recent improvements in the art of 

 transplanting, the ornamental planter of the present day 

 may realize, almost immediately, what was formerly the 

 slow and regular production of years." 

 22* 



