Gorrie on Steuarfs Planter's Guide. 45 



rather say, tops spreading at the under branches, and forming 

 as nearly a pyramid as possible, when transplanted, to be 

 allowed to assume a natural shape afterwards, if in a lawn ;) 

 " roots extensive and spreading" (here I cannot say) " like the 

 tops." These he aptly terms protecting properties, by which 

 we may obtain " trees complete and perfect in all their parts ; " 

 (p. 99.) that is to say, a mass of spray and foliage, which, in 

 a lawn, is a very noble object, and for which no proprietor 

 would willingly accept a hundred pounds, but for which an 

 auctioneer might find it difficult, after it had attained its full 

 natural shape and size, to obtain as many pence : but every 

 thing is good in its own place. Sir Henry has done much for 

 the park, and many of his hints may be of much use to the 

 forester. He deprecates the idea of taking trees for removal 

 from "close plantations." Plants which have stood too close 

 in nursery rows should, for the same reasons, be avoided. 

 Nature endeavours to clothe trees and plants, as well as wild 

 animals, in a garb suitable to the climate in which they stand : 

 even the highland oat has a much thicker coat than the same 

 variety grown in the low valley; and plants brought from a thick 

 wood, or close nursery rows, will be ill prepared, by their 

 delicate bark and scanty foliage, to resist the blast in exposed 

 situations. Sir Henry's method of Fitzhardising is extremely 

 judicious, (p. 218.) To those who would eradicate rushes, as 

 directed by the author (note v. p. 482.), if trees are to be 

 ■planted^, I would recommend that they should peruse the 447th 

 page of the first volume of the Caledonian Horticidtnral So- 

 ciety's Memoirs *, where they may see a useful hint, which my 

 limits do not permit me to transcribe. His defence of what 

 is called the " Scotch system of planting" (p. 465.) is unan- 

 swerable. I think I am supported by the opinion of most 

 practical men in this quarter, in stating that moorish soils in 

 particular, being naturally too loose in the texture, would, hi 

 most instances, be rendered useless for the purpose of planting 

 by trenching. Although I am not an advocate for slit-plant- 

 ing; yet I have, on loose moor soils, found it necessary to 

 adopt that mode, as giving less disturbance to the soil than 

 even pitting. 



Having had but a cursory glance at the second edition of 

 the Planter's Guide, before I received your letter, the above 

 remarks are only from the notes I had taken, and may not 

 have done the author sufficient justice. Such as they are, 

 however, they are much at your service. 



I am, Sir, yours, &c. 

 Aug. 29. 1829. Archibald Gorrie, 



* We shall quote this page in next Number, — Cond. 



