326 HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 
plantation interspersed with underwood of well-selected evergreens, 
he may, oe kindle with eagerness at the contemplation 
of the price whic e paid for some sorts on account of their 
value in eaiaous ar os “It is not, therefore, because there is no motive 
for their cultivation that evergreens are neglected in Scotland, nor 
thos 
because those motives are ananpee eciated. Is it because our soil or 
ioc is not adapted to their constitutions? This is a Rie 
mon error, but that it i is an error will be very easily show I 
will venture to assert that there is not in a more thriving sues in 
, 
cy has made a better appearance in so short a time after 
Boe person in Scotland who takes the least interest in such 
3 
climate ; and ve pee ndeed oe any of the species named in 
t I have seen the common n rel cut down to the ground in 
Pps : 
inland parts of the country and in situations which are low and 
damp. I apprehend the principal cause of the scanty culture of 
evergreens in Scotland may be found in circumstances mor 
discreditable to the Scotch cultivator than an indifferent soil or 
climate, but which are fortunately more susceptible of remedy ; and 
Ia m not without hopes that a due Dererudenree of net ca ried may 
the chief cause of failure in . cultivation of these most ornamental 
plants proceeds from the u tradicted promulgation of certain 
instructions regarding the eee ne and manner of planting, which 
are, indeed, reiterated by almost every sisthor who treats on the 
subject, and the too ready compliance with these instructions, I am 
not without hope that a few hints derived from the practice { have 
acting un ate en 
to express intelligibly my ideas upon this subject, a intelligibly 
~ > svg il my practice, and if that — shall be followed, I doubt 
may soon see evergreens in far greater abundance than 
soe Sie? in the sc eenlaeegocesie of noblemen and gentlemen, and 
2 
