518 General Results of a Gardening Tour : — 



generally contending for what none can attain without the 

 assistance of art, and the whole grow up together in a mass 

 of etiolated rods, with only here and there a tree to be found 

 which has attained a timber-like size. The only case in which 

 this result does not take place, in an extreme degree, is when 

 different genera of trees have been planted in mixture : in 

 which case those of the most vigorous habits and rapid growth 

 will overcome the others. 



As contrasts to the plantations on the two estates men- 

 tioned, we may refer to those of Monkwood, near Ayr, in which 

 the trees (each judiciously pruned so as to form a handsome 

 stem, more or less clothed from the ground upwards) stand 

 at proper distances ; and the thinnings, as Mr. Smith of the 

 Monkwood Nursery informed us, have more than paid acorn 

 rent, reckoning from the time the plantation was made. We 

 may also refer to one or two others in Dumfries and Kirkcud- 

 bright shires, and especially to those at Closeburn and Ter- 

 ragles, as being profitably managed ; though, in the latter case, 

 and as, indeed, in most others that we saw, the trees are too 

 closely pruned. 



The publication of Sir Henry Steuart's Planter's Guide 

 has given a considerable stimulus to the transplanting of large 

 trees ; viz., trees of from fifteen to thirty years' growth, and 

 from 20 to 40 ft. high. We could not help noticing the 

 pi'actice of some proprietors, who, while they neglected their 

 young plantations, or managed them improperly, could yet 

 afford to expend time and money in transplanting large trees ; 

 which is about in as good taste and judgment, as if a man were 

 to commence ornamenting the walls of his house before he 

 had roofed it in. We have seen some parks in Dumfries and 

 Kirkcudbright shires, and we could mention one in Ayrshire, 

 recently sprinkled over with trees, in imitation of Sir Henry 

 Steuart's manner, in superlatively bad taste. We recollect 

 only one instance in which an attempt was made to group 

 the trees, and to add shrubs to them ; but the individuals 

 composing these groups were placed too far apart, and the 

 effect, in consequence, was in a great measure lost. 



Edgings of Walks. — The faults which we have been obliged 

 to find with the edgings of walks, in former articles (Vol. VII. 

 p. 404. 546.), are less frequent in that part of Scotland which 

 we passed through, than they are in England ; partly, we be- 

 lieve, from there being less labour to spare for the walks ; but 

 partly also from gardeners being fully aware that the harsh 

 edgings, which we complain of, are deformities. Hoeing and 

 raking, which among growing crops may certainly be consi- 

 dered beauties, because they are presumptive evidences of 

 good culture; we found by some gardeners considered beau- 



