354 



MEANS OF SPEEDY WOODING 



may prove hurtful instead of beneficial. In such 

 circumstances it will act at once instead of gra- 

 dually ; and if it do not induce canker, which 

 sometimes happens when too great a stimulus is 

 applied at once, its power will be exhausted in 

 a year or two, during which time, though the 

 trees may grow rapidly, they will afterwards, when 

 the excitement subsides, be much in the condi- 

 tion of such as having at first been reared in a 

 very rich ground, are afterwards removed to poor 

 and barren soil. The roots will have superabun- 

 dant nourishment for the space of six or eight 

 inches next the surface, but all below will be com- 

 paratively poor and sterile. It is therefore of the 

 last importance, that, whatever enrichment is given, 

 should be mixed equally with the land from surface 

 to subsoil. To effect this, the following method 

 should be taken : — Let the dung be mixed, at least 

 two months before it is used, with three times its 

 own bulk of common earth or peat-moss ; or, if it 

 is intended to deepen the soil by additional mould, 

 the manure may be mixed with the whole of the 

 latter, collected in one or more large heaps. The 

 greatest care must be taken that this mixing be 

 thoroughly performed, in order to insure which the 

 heaps should be turned at least three or four times 



