446 THE BOOK OF THE LANDED ESTATE. 



purpose, which is called the pinetum ; and this usually consists of 

 one kind of soil and subsoil only, on which nearly all the different 

 kinds of the hardy pines are planted. We have already learned 

 from the 16th section of this chapter, that in their native localities 

 different trees grow in different soils, and consequently, to rear them 

 with the greatest success, we must take this into consideration. The 

 climate of every district of country must also be taken into account, 

 besides the situation and aspect. It often occurs that some kinds of the 

 coniferous tribe thrive well on some estates ; while on others, and that 

 at no great distance, the same kinds do not succeed. Local circum- 

 stances are, no doubt, the cause of this difference the soil, climate, 

 or position of the respective properties being the cause of the success 

 or non-success in the growth of coniferous trees. If they are planted 

 in low-lying situations, and where the soil is damp and undrained, 

 then, in all probability, the spring will have advanced considerably 

 before they begin to grow, from the want of warmth about the roots ; 

 and, as a natural consequence, the young shoots have not time to ripen 

 and get hardy before the autumn frosts set in, and the result is, the 

 young shoots are often destroyed in such situations. I believe that 

 many trees which are called " tender " in some districts, get that name 

 from the fact that the situations in which they have been placed are 

 damp and cold ; on the other hand, I think that many failures occur 

 from planting the coniferous trees in low-lying, warm, and sheltered situ- 

 ations. In such places they are excited to an early growth, and continue 

 to grow till late in the autumn, when they are caught by the frosts. A 

 great proportion of the conifers should be planted on situations neither 

 too warm nor sheltered ; while, on the other hand, too much exposure 

 generally is fatal to them, though several of them do well in exposed situ- 

 ations. In a natural state they do not generally grow on deep rich soils, 

 but on thin dry soils, in hilly and mountainous countries ; therefore, 

 in choosing land for a pinetum, it should have a variety of surface, the 

 soil being a light loam, and the subsoil open, free, and dry. This latter 

 quality may be accomplished by drainage, if necessary. 



It often occurs that it is desirable to plant some specimens of the coni- 

 fers on a soil unsuited to them. This may be improved by the removal 

 of the soil where the plant is to be put, and replacing it with one of a 

 more congenial nature ; but in this case care must be taken that a means 

 of escape is made for the water, which will run off a stiff soil into one 

 more open. Another consideration worthy of notice is the selection of 

 the plants, as it must be kept in mind that the condition of the plant 

 when young will interfere with its after-growth to a certain extent. It 

 is better not to have plants which have been reared in pots. A tree in 



