16 PLANTING. 



comparatively recent origin, and in some districts, 

 perhaps, is still unknown and unpractised. Several 

 nurserymen, I find, claim the honour of introducing it, 

 which testifies to its beneficial results — for few men 

 care to contend for that which is unsuccessful or 

 unpopular. 



In planting deep loamy soU, where the growth is 

 essentially rapid, larger sized plants must be used 

 than for poor and bare moorland. In such cases 

 three- and four- year-old plants may be used ; but they 

 should have been removed in the nursery every year 

 previous to final planting out, in order to form a cor- 

 responding balance between root and top growth. 



Special attention should also be paid to the develop- 

 ment of the branches, and from these the state and 

 condition of the roots may in a great measure be 

 determined. One condition, however, should always 

 be observed — viz., that the plants are clothed with 

 branches close to the ground. From the fact of this 

 condition not being always insisted upon by planters, 

 nurserymen are encouraged to plant too closely in the 

 lines, and even in the seed-beds, which greatly injures 

 the plants by undue crowding. Higher prices must 

 of course be paid for well-grown plants ; but no intel- 

 ligent man would object to that, as the dearest plants 

 generally prove the cheapest. 



The lower branches of a tree are the ones which 

 principally nourish and supply the roots with cam- 

 bium ; hence the absolute necessity for preserving 

 even the smallest twigs upon seedling and nursery 

 plants, and removing every obstacle to their full and 

 free development, such as weeds, grass, heath, and 

 other herbage. 



