262 



of the trees. I rathei imagine, that the process is pecuHar 

 to my own practice : but, be that as it may, I have repeatedly 

 tried it on all sorts of subjects, young and old, removed and 

 unremoved, that seemed to be backward or stationary in 

 their progress, and its vivifying powers have proved extraor- 

 dinary in evxry instance. It is, however, to be observed, 

 that in the case of old trees, as there is a complete exhaus- 

 tion of the original soil around them, so a much larger mass 

 of fresh matter must be superinduced upon it. A tree of 

 three or four feet in diameter would require twenty cart- 

 loads at least, in order that any material renovation of its 

 strength might be effected ; and few men, I think, would 

 grudge so small an expense and labour, to save or improve 

 a favourite tree. 



The practice of gardeners, T am aware, is considerably 

 different from this. If they find their trees in any wise un- 

 prosperous, their usual resource is, to stir the earth among 

 the roots, instead of leaving them undisturbed, and to dig in 

 well-rotted dung, or other manure ; and it is to be presumed, 

 that, in their management of park-wood, they would pursue 

 a similar system. In favour of such a practice, in the hor- 

 ticultural department, something may be said ; because the 

 great depth of soil in garden-ground admits of the roots of 

 fruit-trees descending far deeper, than can be expected in 

 the park ; not to mention the advantage of cultivating 

 leguminous crops on the surface. But I am satisfied, were 

 the fruit borders in gardens, and especially in orchards, to be 

 left undisturbed, unless by the hoe, and were the extension 

 or improvement of pabulum for the roots to be made upon 

 the surface, as just now directed, that the effects would be 

 not less surprising than those which I myself have expe- 

 rienced.* 



There is another remedy, which I have sometimes tried, 



* Note II. 



