404 



some Importance to state, In tlils place, what happened to my own trees 

 of that year, as it gives a strong view of the value of after-work (which 

 has been fully treated in the foregoing section), and shows, that it is as 

 deserving of the planter's notice, as any part of the treatment of wood. 



During the spring, which preceded this truly tropical summer, that is, 

 in February and March, 1826, I transplanted about a hundred and ten 

 trees, partly in close woods, and partly in the open park, from twenty- 

 five to thirty feet high. Within three weeks after being planted, they 

 were carefully watered, and covered with shows, after the manner direc- 

 ted in Section X. By the end of May, we were forced to commence 

 our summer watering of the roots. That of the tops was never attempt- 

 ed ; nor was it necessary, from the copious dews, which fell during the 

 night, and were, of course, absorbed by the leaves. And, as there is 

 great command of water about the place, the former was continued 

 more or less, between three and four months ! Of the whole number 

 of trees planted / lost only one, although they consisted mostly of oaks 

 and beeches, the plants of all others the most sensitive of drought ! 

 Several bushes, however, or stools of underwood died, and I am persua- 

 ded, that it was in consequence of over-watering ; an error which is 

 more easily committed than planters will perhaps believe. 



I am satisfied that, with workmen trained in the school of my inge- 

 nious friend Mr. Smith, the trees at Ibroxhill were just as skilfully taken 

 up and planted, as those transferred at this place, although the latter 

 might have the advantage, in the preparation of the soil. But I am the 

 more anxious here to state the above remarkable fact, together with the 

 circumstances which attended it, that it is impossible to press the im- 

 portance of after-work too earnestly on the young planter's mind. For 

 a similar object, namely, that of preserving the vigour of his trees dur- 

 ing his first season, I earnestly request of him to give an attentive peru- 

 sal to pages 262, 263, et seqq. anteh., containing an "Inquiry into the 

 Causes of Backwardness in Trees," as he will find, that the circum- 

 stances above stated bear strongly on that discussion, and tend to illus- 

 trate it in a very striking manner. 



That the art, which has been the subject of the foregoing pages, will 

 ere long be practised by many, with a success and a skill superior to mine, 

 I entertain no sort of doubt. I have laboured, and, I trust not unsuc- 

 cessfully, to refer to Principles of Science that which was vague and 

 fortuitous, in tliis department of rural pursuit ; and to induce plantero 



