CHAR VIII.] FINSBURY CIRCUS GARDENS. 79 



Where flowers and plants are to be grown, a similar soil should have 

 been employed as is now being used in the Temple Gardens ; and, to show 

 the importance of using this soil, I may mention that about forty years 

 ago the circle of lime-trees in the Circus showed signs of decay, and some 

 actually perished. At that time every tree at much cost had its roots laid 

 bare and topspit loam, placed against it, since which time the trees have 

 grown to their present size. 



The contractor is in my judgment bound to supply a reasonable 

 quantity of topspit fibrous mould, and more especially as the inhabitants 

 have facilitated the operations of the railroad. 



The gravel in the playground and elsewhere (if it is finished) is bad, 

 and the loose stones should have been removed by the gardener. 



The new shrubs and trees have been planted in defiance of all hor- 

 ticultural principles. The kinds of trees appear to have been selected 

 without judgment, and many of them have been planted so deeply that 

 they can hardly be expected to live, even if the earth had been suitable for 

 their growth. 



The planting of all the evergreens at one spot looks singular, and the 

 whole of the newly-planted trees should be inspected by some person who 

 understands planting, and many should at once be replanted. 



Many of the roots of the old trees have been covered so deeply with 

 earth that it may be anticipated that the roots will perish and become the 

 nidus of fungi, which sooner or later will kill the trees. This effect occurs 

 with different rapidity in varying circumstances, but there is no doubt that 

 many will be killed by the depth to which they have been covered. 



It is a remarkable fact that no part of the restoration of the garden 

 exhibits the slightest gardening talent or merits approbation, whilst so 

 much which has been done necessitates severe condemnation, inasmuch as 

 grave errors might have been avoided by a minimum of knowledge and 

 attention. 



That my father was an advocate for having trees in a town 

 is also seen from the following extracts from a letter in which he 

 pleaded for a row of trees to be planted along the whole line of 

 the Thames Embankment. 



The effect of trees planted along the edge of the pavement (he writes) 

 is well seen in Paris, where not only on the Boulevards but along the line 

 of the Seine the trees are tended with the utmost care. Plane-trees 

 would probably be best adapted to the situation, as the noble plane in 

 Cheapside and in our squares shows how well they grow in London. Limes 

 might also succeed, as the two beautiful trees in the Bank of England 

 testify. 



He then goes on to show how in 



no other city in Europe are there so few trees as in London, where they 

 are so much required. Should the Board of Works consent to adopt these 

 suggestions, now would be the time to begin to select the trees suitable 

 for the situation, so that they may be planted in October or the beginning 

 of November, and become well rooted before next year. 



My father was fond of late years of rising with the sun, and, 



