335 



SECTION 111. 



Note I. Page 93i 



Marshall has a specious way of adjusting the dillerences between 

 these conflicting systems ; although he seems to give it, in the end, in 

 favour of the former (that is, of the system of raising trees from the 

 seed), in situations, where the nature of the ground will admit, " The 

 dispute about sowing and planting (as he observes) may in some measure 

 be reconciled in the following manner. Where the strength of the 

 land lies in the substratum, while the surface soil is of an ungenial 

 nature, sow, in order that the roots may strike deep, and thereby reap 

 the full advantage of the treasures below. (Qu. Where did Marshall 

 meet with land of this description'?) But, on the contrary, where the 

 top soil is good, and the bottom of an opposite quality ( a very common 

 case), plant, and thereby give the roots the full enjoyment of the pro- 

 ductive part of the soil. Or, under these last circumstances, sow ; and 

 tap the young plants as they stand, with a tapping instrument, and 

 thereby check their downward tendency, as well as strengthen their 

 horizontal roots. 



" By this method of treating seedling plants, the peculiar advantage 

 of planting is obtained. The dispute, therefore, seems to rest entirely 

 upon this question ; which of the two methods is least expensive ? To 

 come at this, there are two things to be considered ; the actual expense 

 of labour, and other contingent matters, and the loss of time in the land 

 occupied. With respect to the former, sowing is beyond comparison 

 the cheapest method : but in regard to the latter, planting may seem to 

 gain a preference ; for the seed-bed is small compared with the ground 

 to be planted, and while that is rearing the seedling plants, this con- 

 tinues to be applied to the purposes of husbandry. However, if we 

 consider the check, which plants in general receive in transplantation ; 

 and if the interspaces of an infant wood, may for several years after 

 sowing be still cultivated to advantage, the preference, we conceive, is 

 evidently and beyond all dispute, on the side of sowing." — Rural Orna- 

 ment, Vol. I. p. 121—123. 



