THE planter's GUIDE. 



299 



aud every other characteristic mark, retaining their rnsset 

 clothing, some longer, and some shorter, after the month 

 of February : but the true aboriginal varieties retain it 

 nearly till June, if the wood have been fairly ripened ; 

 and the plants are uniformly more late in themselves, and 

 more hardy accordingly. It is, therefore, quite useless 

 for practice (if the greatest possible success be the aim of 

 the planter) curiously to inquire into other botanical 

 distinctions, however uniformly they may be found to 

 exist. The fact of these trees fully and pertinaciously 

 carrying the leaf longer than the Beech, at once strikes 

 the most unscientific eye, and renders all other rules for 

 selecting the best sort superfluous. 



Secondly, it appeared that although, for the purpose of 

 transplanting, the spreading Oak is beyond question the 

 hardier tree, yet it is by no means understood to be to 

 the exclusion of the upright. That most magnificent and 

 stately plant, I have found it practicable also to remove ; 

 but far greater nicety and precaution are requisite in every 

 part of the process, both as to previous preparation, and 

 the mode and season of the execution. Probably the 

 later it is transplanted in the spring, previously to the 

 movement of the sap — that is, before May — the greater will 

 be the chance of success. In creating park-scenery by 

 means of the transplanting machine, a skilful planter, if 

 he have any idea of the principles of landscape, will per- 

 ceive that each kind of Oak has its appropriate use. On 

 the bolder, poorer, and more elevated grounds he will 

 generally put the spreading sort ; for the lower, richer, and 

 more sheltered, where stateliness and elevation are wanted, 

 he will reserve the upright. Besides, as in every part of 

 Britain the upright Oaks are at least twenty to one the 

 more numerous, the transplanter's powers would be ex- 

 tremely cramped and limited were they confined solely 



