242 



THE planter's GUIDE. 



moist state of the ground, or the water which falls into 

 the pit, as above, will contribute. When managed, how- 

 ever, in the most careful manner, this liquid rather dis- 

 appointed me in its effects on trees, and I should far 

 rather prefer the excellent compound already described.*"* 



In regard to backwardness in trees, as the subject is 

 not only curious in itself, but of great moment to the 

 general planter, as well as to him who removes larger 

 trees, perhaps a few remarks on the causes in which it 

 originates may not be inappropriate in this place, and 

 prove interesting to both. 



From what has been observed of this evil, it appears 

 that it exists in a remarkable manner only among exposed 

 plants, and that heat resulting from shelter in most cases 

 furnishes a complete preventive. In considering the nature 

 and habits of woody plants, we find that the warmer the 

 atmosphere in which they grow, the more active the vege- 

 tation that is carried on in them, and consequently the 

 greater the deposition of nutrient matter that is made in 

 the bodies of the plants. Our object, therefore, should be, 

 after their removal to colder or more exposed situations, 

 so to increase, by artificial methods, the action of their 

 vegetative powers, as to compensate to the required extent 

 for the absence of heat ; and should that not be done 

 sufficiently in the beginning, to augment it afterwards. 

 This important principle was stated above, in the instruc- 

 tions given for the preparation of the soil, but not suf- 

 ficiently illustrated under that head.f 



It is on this principle, that the application of the rich 

 and friable compound above mentioned is made with such 

 extraordinary eflPect. If we administer it to two park 

 trees of the same species, and of equal size and strength, 



* Note HI. 



t See Sect. VI. pp. 144, 145. 



