3«« 



FLORA AND SYLVA. 



use their eyes; the thin scraggy planta- 

 tions common in Britain beside roads 

 and fields, all show the evil. They are 

 far more open to the attacks of sun and 

 drying winds than such broad, natural 

 woodland as occurs in the best planted 

 counties and estates. The remedy for 

 the stale woodland is "underplanting." 

 That means, when woods get thin or 

 scraggy from any cause, the introducing 

 of young trees, usually of different kinds 

 from the existing trees, and that will 

 stand partial shade — what are called 

 shade bearers. When planting in treeless 

 ground we have none of these questions 

 to consider,but for replanting old wood- 

 land we can only choose those trees 

 which will thrive in partial shade; and 

 as in old woodland it is more difficult 

 to protect young trees from rabbits, we 

 must if we can, choose those that are 

 not so loved of that pest. Where the 

 nakedness of the wood occurs in large 

 patches we can plant them and wire, but 

 in large woodland areas we must plant 

 the young trees singly among the older 

 trees, and hence the necessity for choos- 

 ing kinds that will thrive in partial shade. 

 Among the summer-leafing trees the 

 best for underplanting is the Beech, of 

 which in certain forests of the north of 

 Europe trees of 50 to 60 feet may be 

 seen thriving underPines nearly 1 00 feet 

 high, and both close set. Inter-action 

 of the roots of trees of different kinds is 

 rather beneficial than otherwise. After 

 the Beech may be named theHornbeam, 

 Oak, Ash, and on sandy or rocky soils, 

 the Chestnut. (By this name I do not 

 mean the Horse Chestnut — which is 

 not a Chestnut at all.) Most of the trees 



named — except the Ash — are not very 

 liable to the attacks of rabbits, and they 

 also bear planting as saplings of 6 to 8 feet 

 or even more, though beyond that size 

 it is risky. In all cases we must avoid trees 

 too old for transplanting. We cannot 

 with success plant Pines of large size, 

 but with a little care in buying from 

 forest nurseries we can get tall saplings 

 of the summer-leafing trees that will 

 grow well. 



Among Firs the best for under- 

 planting is the Silver Fir, which may 

 often be seen in the German forests 

 growing well under the other trees, all 

 closely set. Spruce, in wet land, is also 

 good; and in our southern and western 

 country the Douglas Fir is excellent and 

 soon gets its head up among the other 

 trees, the shelter of which is a help to 

 it at first. 



The effects of underplanting in the 

 best cases are good. I have often seen 

 woods treated in this way very beautiful, 

 varied, and full of life; but to enjoy such 

 woods there should be well-considered 

 rides made through them, airy and ac- 

 cessible in all weathers. 



THE DEAN OF ROCHESTER. 



Dean Hole, the first writer of our time 

 upon gardening, closed his long and 

 happy life on the 2 5th August. Large- 

 hearted , humorous,and of fine presence, 

 he was a country gentleman of the best 

 sort and endeared to many garden lovers 

 by his writings upon their favourite 

 theme. Many years ago these first ap- 

 peared in the old Florist and Pomologist. 

 I well remember reading them, among 

 thesplatitudinous " calendar of opera- 



