BELTS AND SCREENS. 331 



growing season, the circulation of the sap is exceedingly active, and 

 that if much cut at that time, they are liable to suffer from excessive 

 "bleeding." From this important fact may be deduced the rationale 

 of the after treatment of Coniferous hedges when established, viz., 

 that they should be cut only when the sap is comparatively quiescent, 

 either in autumn when the growth of the season is completed, or 

 early in spring before the commencement of growth. It is the growth 

 of the current season that chiefly gives beauty to the Coniferous hedge, 

 and if that is cut off in the full vigour of its formation the effect is 

 marred, and the health of the plants is liable to be impaired. 



VI.— BELTS AND SCREENS. 



No trees are better adapted for belts and screens planted for 

 protective and other purposes than the common hardy Coniferas. 

 Their rapid and dense growth render them the best of "nurses" 

 for more tender kinds, especially during "infancy;" they afford the 

 most effectual protection from north, north-east, and easterly winds; 

 they are the most suitable for shutting out of view an incongruous 

 feature in the landscape, or for forming some bold or distinct distant 

 addition to it; also for hiding unsightly buildings, and for seclusion. 

 The following list includes all the common kinds available for Belts 

 and Screens required for such purposes : — 



Abies excelsa 



„ nigra 



„ Nordmanniana 



„ pectinata 



„ canadensis 



,, Douglasii 

 Cedrus atlantica 



Larix europea 



Pinus austriaca 



„ Laricio 



„ Pinaster 



„ sylvestris 



Pinus Strobus 

 „ excelsa 

 „ Cembra 

 Cupressus Lawsoniana 

 „ nutkaensis 



,, thyoides 



Thuia Lobbi 



,, occidentals 

 Biota orientalis 

 Juniperus virginiana 

 „ chinensis 



Taxus baccata 



In forming mixed belts with any of the above, the Thuias, Lawson's 

 Cypress, the Nootka Sound Cypress, and the Junipers, if used, are best 

 planted on the outside, where they, will retain their lower branches 

 and dense habit for a longer period. The Hemlock Spruce should 

 only be used where it has been proved to grow rapidly. Pinus pinaster, 

 P. Laricio, and P. (lens; ''flora are excellent seaside Pines; P. insignis, 



