172 ENGLISH ESTATE FORESTRY 



well-known fact that active vegetation will withstand several 

 degrees of frost without injury if they are protected from a 

 sudden thaw ; and this fact can be taken advantage of on a 

 small scale by syringing the frozen plants, or lighting fires 

 which will fill the atmosphere for the time being with thick 

 smoke. The safest plan to adopt, however, so far as nurseries 

 are concerned, is to choose an aspect which will keep off the 

 rays of the sun until the temperature has risen well above 

 freezing point, so that frosted plants may have an opportunity 

 of thawing out as gradually as possible. This, in our opinion, 

 is the most important point to look at when selecting a site 

 for a home nursery. On a dry, warm soil a northern aspect 

 answers best, as the plants are less exposed to the direct rays 

 of the sun, and evaporation is less rapid. On the other hand, 

 cold and wet soils, if such must be chosen, should be given a 

 south aspect for the opposite reason. 



The soil of a home nursery is probably the most important 

 point about it. As a general rule, it may be said that the 

 nursery should stand on the same class of soil as the bulk of 

 that on which replanting is to proceed. This, we believe, is 

 generally recognised, and it only remains to mention the most 

 suitable soils for the production of stout healthy plants, such 

 as were specified in the chapter on Planting. 



In a dry climate probably the best class of soil for root 

 production is a moderately strong and deep loam on a porous sub- 

 soil. Such a soil stands drought well, and supplies all the ele- 

 ments of plant food which are requisite for well-ripened wood, 

 without the assistance of artificial manuring. An occasional 

 dose of lime from time to time will keep it sweet and open, and 

 unlock further supplies of plant food as required. It produces 

 stout well-nourished plants of almost any species, and which 

 have every prospect of making a good start when transplanted. 

 Its effect on the root system is also good, tending to produce 

 plenty of fibre and strong, well-developed secondary roots, 

 which are the best foundations of a permanent root system. 



The next best is probably what is called a hazel loam, 

 and in a wet climate such a soil is preferable to the one first 

 named, and usually gives as good results. For conifers alone, 

 such as pines, sandy loams are probably best, and for seed- 

 beds of all kinds lightness and friability are essential. 



