I'M HORTICULTURAL TOUK. 



that care and expence. It was painful to reflect} that a 

 very different feeling in regard to trees, has long prevailed 

 at Edinburgh. Instead of planting, we had seen our eity 

 rulers, but a few years since, apply the axe to the noble am- 

 phitheatre of full-grown trees which skirted the grounds of 

 Uellevue, and which, would now have formed a most desir- 

 able and highly ornamental boundary to the New City on 

 the north-east. A better taste, and more liberal views, are 

 now gaining ground. As an evidence of this, it may be 

 noticed, that the plans for extending the city to the east- 

 ward have been so contrived, as to preserve the large trees 

 on Lcith Walk. After seeing the effects of trees on some 

 of the dikes of Holland, we cannot help remarking, that 

 the appearance of the ponderous and clumsy Earthen 

 Mound at Edinburgh might be greatly improved by plant- 

 ing its sloping sides; and we may add, that the dull aspect 

 of the low marshy ground which once formed the North 

 Loch, might be remedied, by partly covering it with al- 

 ders and willows *. 



* The fine elms at Rotterdam arc of the kind called by us English Elm 

 (Ulmus campestris). At Edinburgh it may be better that the Scots Elm 

 (U. montana) should chiefly be planted. This last is always raised from the 

 seed in Scottish nurseries ; while, in these nurseries, the English elm is ge- 

 nerally propagated cither by grafting on the Scots, or by means of layers. 

 By grafting or by layering, plants of English elm fit for sale from the nur- 

 sery lines arc more speedily obtained ; but they seldom form such fine trees 

 as plants sprung directly from the seed, and, being destitute of the tap-root, 

 they are less fit for exposed situations. Seedling Scots elms, by means of 

 their long descending roots, will establish themselves in very bleak places, 

 open to currents of wind. The sycamore, (or plane-tree of Scotland, Acer 

 pscudo-plantanus,) having large spreading roots, j'3 well adapted for shal- 

 low and rocky soils, such as occur on some parts of the new road across 

 -n Hill, which Might be ornamented with trees. The mountain-ash y 

 ".r roan-tree of Scotland, Sorbus ancuparia,) the most ornamental native tree 

 • • Highlands, 1 likewise excellently suited to such situations. To it 



