THE planter's GUIDE. 



319 



time will suit, from October to May. As with most trees 

 which may be propagated by layers, you cannot fail with 

 this, (the early Elm or Witch Hazel especially,) unless 

 through uncommon mismanagement, or a want of roots 

 and branches proportioned to the top. In the latter case, 

 I have known the Elm languish, and lose its top, after 

 being transplanted of a large size ; but I have scarcely 

 ever known it die outright. There is likewise no tree 

 that is more hardy, or opposes a stouter front to the blast ; 

 and none, perhaps, that better resists the sea-breeze, the 

 Sycamore excepted. 



Let it be observed that I here speak of the true indi- 

 genous, or Scotch Elm only. Of the English Elm I have 

 little experience as a subject for transplantation. I can 

 raise it with tolerable success in close plantations, if it 

 have been grafted on the British ; and I have even set it 

 out in the open park of about eighteen feet high, taking 

 care to choose the most sheltered situations ; and there it 

 seems to grow as well as could have been anticipated in 

 an alien to the climate. But a transplanter of skill has a 

 right to expect that his trees should not only grow, but 

 thrive in severe exposures. I fear, therefore, that the 

 English Elm in general in Scotland must be classed with 

 the Ilex and the Walnut, which, beautiful as they are, are 

 to be considered among what Mason calls " the shivering 

 rarities," on which no certain reliance can be placed, and 

 which prudence would direct our planters as well as 

 transplanters rather to avoid : — 



" Yet let us call on those of hardy class 

 Indigenous, who, patient of the change 

 From heat to cold, which Albion hourly feels,' 

 Are braced with strength to brave it. Those alone 

 We call our friends; 



That veteran troop, who will not for a blast 

 Of nipping air, like cowards quit the field." * 

 * English Garden, Book iii. p. 244. 



