Gorrie on Steuart's Planter's Guide. 43 



as the body. But, by my system, any trees raised from layers, 

 cuttings, &c, may be made as valuable as if they were raised 

 from seed. 



I am often oppressed with painful feelings, that, from circum- 

 stances which I could not prevent, but, perhaps, may some 

 time publicly explain, I am at present so situated that I have 

 no opportunity to exemplify the system upon living subjects ; 

 but must refer my readers to my publication, wherein I have 

 clearly shown what great improvements I had effected, and 

 was effecting, while I was at the Chopwell Woods belonging 

 to His Majesty. I am, Sir, yours, &c. 



Shrewsbury, Nov. 21. 1829. W. Billington. 



Art. VIII. Remarks on Sir Henry Steuart's Planters Guide. 

 By Mr. Gorrie, CM.H.S., of Annat Gardens, Perthshire. 



Sir, 



With regard to my opinion of Sir Henry Steuart's 

 Planter's Guide, it is in general highly favourable. He has 

 certainly been successful in applying scientific principles to the 

 art of planting. The historical part is sufficiently amusing, 

 but is of little utility to the mere practical planter. To him 

 it is of little consequence to know whether Count Maurice, 

 Louis XIV. of France, or Charles II. of England, were the 

 most eminent planters of their day, or whether they preceded 

 or followed example. It is, however, something to know who 

 was the first to set the admirable example of digging round 

 the tree intended for removal a year or two before it was 

 raised. For this, it seems, we are indebted to Lord Fitzhard- 

 ing; and, although many practical men may have since hit 

 upon the same expedient, who may never have heard of the 

 invention, or of the noble inventor, the operation might, with 

 much propriety, be distinguished by the appellation of " Fitz- 

 hardising." [See Mr. Sang's Letter to Sir Henry Steuart, 

 p. 87. infra.] 



Sir Henry seems to have a particular horror at pruning, or 

 what he calls " lopping," or " mutilation." Pruning to ex- 

 cess, I conceive, ought to be carefully guarded against ; but, I 

 believe, notwithstanding what practical and theoretical men 

 may have said and written on the subject, that pruning par- 

 tially a newly planted tree may be often a necessary, and 

 always, when not overdone, a salutary practice: although I 

 admit that it might be done with the best effect, at the same 

 time, with the operation of Fitzhardising. In the eyes of Sir 

 Henry, thus to advocate the practice of what he would call 



