442 On acclimatzsitig exotic Plants 



Art. III. On acclimatising exotic Plants in British Gardens. 

 By N. M. T. 



Notwithstanding the small progress that has been made 

 in acclimatising exotics, it is evident that a numerous class of 

 these plants, when in proper condition, are capable of bearing 

 the severity of our winters. Of this fact, the great numbers 

 that survive the first winter after planting out afford a most 

 convincing proof; and, by paying a little attention to the subject, 

 we find that those that die are destroyed by the shortness 

 of our summer, rather than the severity of our winter. We 

 often find a plant that has stood several hard winters cut off 

 in one that is comparatively mild; and, therefore, its death must 

 be attributed to the condition of the plant, not to the great 

 degree of cold to which it is exposed. 



At midsummer, I planted out several sorts : all of them had 

 completed their growth for the season ; consequently, they had 

 the rest of the summer to ripen their wood, and form vigorous 

 buds for next season. Those planted out a year sooner are 

 in a very different condition : they have merely begun to grow, 

 and will scarcely have completed their growth before winter; 

 it will therefore be found that their shoots are green, full of sap, 

 and altogether unable to resist any degree of cold. If they are 

 not completely killed by the first frost, their shoots will be 

 destroyed to a few of the first-formed buds, which will make an 

 effort to expand, until the tree is completely worn out. Two 

 or three years, according to circumstances, will put an end to 

 this stunted existence. That many plants, when planted out, 

 will perish, even under the best management, is evident ; still 

 I consider the rapid decline of many may, in a great measure, 

 be attributed to the treatment they receive. At the approach 

 of winter, while yet green and full of sap, they are cooped 

 up in some sort of covering ; where, in a close, putrid, rotting 

 atmosphere, ready for every frost, they are compelled to 

 remain (should they survive) until spring. On the first few 

 fine days that may then occur, the covering is partly or wholly 

 removed ; lest its shelter should induce the plants to precede 

 the season. A plant thus deprived of protection, when it is 

 most necessary to its existence, has its juices chilled and stag- 

 nated ; the bursting bud, or young shoot, is destroyed ; and the 

 plant, thus checked in its vegetation, is left to produce a few 

 green and feeble shoots, late in autumn. Yet a plant, so 

 plainly destroyed by its treatment in spring, is calmly placed 

 to the account of the deaths occasioned by the severity of the 

 succeeding winter. But this treatment ought not, in every case, 

 to be laid to the charge of the gardener : his employer is often 

 altogether to blame. The unsightly objects of protection 



