THE planter's GUIDE. 



239 



witli manure of this species/"' Then, let the composition 

 be spread on the smface, from the centre outwards, nine 

 inches thick at least at the stem or centre, and five or six 

 at the extremities ; by which means, probably, a space of 

 six or eight feet out will be richly coated. Or, if you can 

 easily supply the materials, it would be better to coat it 

 ten or twelve feet out. Lastly, let the composition be 

 carefully pointed with the spade, between two and three 

 inches deep, (which is the depth of ordinary hoeing,) into 

 the former soil, round the plant. The sooner after the 

 fall that this work can be executed, the more confidently 

 you may rely on its effects dm^ng the following season. 



Into materials so compounded, the minutest fibres, or 

 absorbents of the roots, will enter with avidity on the 

 first approach of the genial heat of spring ; or possibly 

 the fine and friable nature of the composition may occa- 

 sion an anticipation of the period. The season of verna- 

 tion ere long will come on, the leaves will be enlarged, 

 and assume a far deeper and more lively green. By 

 midsummer the tree will have shot some inches ; and, by 

 the following season, probably more than a foot ; and it 

 will continue to exhibit both established health and pro- 

 gi'essive vigour. 



About every house in the country there is a place 

 appropriated for collecting the ashes ; I mean, of course, 

 coal-ashes. To that deposit are usually added soot, 

 sweepings of houses, and other miscellaneous manures 

 from the kitchen -cornet, all well adapted to the purpose in 

 question ; and the whole should be exclusively reserved 

 for trees by the judicious planter. Great attention, like- 

 wise, should be bestowed in separating the cinders from 

 the ashes wlien the latter are first thrown out, and in a 



* See pages 162, 163, antea. 



