118 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 



the intelligence and encouragement of modern 

 times. 



One thing we much cause to lament, which 

 is, the premature decay of some of our most 

 ornamental and useful timber trees, particularly 

 Jhe elm, which is caused by a most destructive 

 insect : the tree is first maltreated by bruises 

 on the bark, or otherwise injured, then follows 

 this destructive insect, which, in one of its stages, 

 eats into the tree, and rapidly consumes it ; these 

 serious appearances are to be discerned exten- 

 sively Kensington Gardens, and many other 

 places. I would here hazard an opinion, from 

 having made it my study for many years ; but as 

 the cause may only have been an oversight in 

 those who have the care of them, it might appear 

 officious and misplaced in a work of this nature. 



I shall now, previous to drawing to a con- 

 clusion, make a few additional remarks on plant- 

 ing of orchards. The first thing to consider, 

 when orchards are about to be planted, is the 

 soil which will best suit the different sorts of 

 fruit; if it is a fine deep, loamy soil, all kinds of 

 fruit trees will succeed on it ; but standard 



