28 DRAINING OF GROUND 



nature has her own way. However, I cannot say 

 as to what state of perfection trees might grow 

 were manure added to their roots at stated inter- 

 vals ; nor do I think it necessary that we should 

 know the results of such a system of training, be- 

 cause it could be of no real use to grow trees upon 

 such an expensive system. 



SECTION V. — DRAINING OF GROUND FOR YOUNG 

 TREES. 



There is no preparation of the soil so advanta- 

 geous to the welfare of young forest trees as that of 

 draining. Draining not only dries the soil from all 

 superfluous moisture, but it also cleanses it of many 

 bad ingredients which might otherwise prove inju- 

 rious to the health of trees, and prevent their full 

 development. To the want of draining may be 

 attributed the greater part of cases of unhealthi- 

 ness m plantations for forty years past. The disease 

 in the larch, which has been so prevalent in Scot- 

 land for some years past, may be almost entirely 

 attributed to the neglect of this precaution, as shall 

 be particularly explained when I come to treat upon 

 that subject in this treatise. I have, within these 

 last ten years, seen very many plantations in Scot- 

 land fast going back from the want of draining ; 

 and having been often called upon to give my opi- 

 nion relative to the unhealthy state of such planta- 



