SECTION XII. 



OF THE PRINCIPAL FOREST TREES. — THE OAK, 



All trees are fit or proper for being transplanted 

 which will thrive, and come to maturity, in the soil and 

 chmate in which that operation is intended to be per- 

 formed. Even the most delicate and rarest exotics, as 

 we have seen above, may become the subjects of horti- 

 cultural transplantation. But the main object at present 

 is to endeavour to ascertain what are the species of forest 

 trees that can be successfully removed in a full-grown 

 state, and which, when removed, will best give immediate 

 shelter to our fields, and efi'ect and ornament to our parks 

 and pleasure-grounds. 



For this purpose, it is evident that something more 

 than a mere enumeration must be given for the informa- 

 tion of the planter. No man can work with efiect, unless 

 he in some degree understands both the use of his imple- 

 ments and the nature of his materials ; and to that 

 knowledge should be added a competent idea of the field 

 on which he has to operate. It is about two centuries 

 since planting began to be successfully practised to any 

 extent and written upon in England ; and it is about half 

 that time since it attracted the notice of the nobility and 

 gentry of this kingdom. Yet it is surprising, in the pre- 

 sent day, when almost every country gentleman is a 

 planter, how little practical knowledge prevails upon the 

 subject. A gentleman in general, in such matters, sees 



