328 



THE planter's guide. 



of its becoming a favourite in the same department. 

 There is no plant that in any wise equals it for winter 

 copse, except the holly. But there is not one situation 

 in a thousand, where that eyergreen, hardy as it is, will 

 grow with luxuriance ; and to a planter of taste, luxuii- 

 ance of growth is every thing. 



In new places or parks, at least in Scotland, or in such 

 as have been planted within the last forty years, where 

 the Firs and other nurses are cut away, or jDerhaps where 

 the latter unduly prevail, a striking poverty or stemminess 

 usually offends the eye, both in summer and winter, even in 

 close plantations, or such as are meant to be close. In 

 general, you may see half a mile under the boughs, unless 

 your view be intercepted by some inequality in the sur- 

 face. Were the Beech and the aboriginal Oak copiously 

 introduced into such woods, it would give them an extra- 

 ordinary richness to the most unobserving eye, and in 

 many districts quite alter the aspect of the country. 



Where old copse-woods are cut over, hkewise^ the Oak 

 and the Beech, together with the Holly, (if on a light and 

 calcareous soil,) may be introduced with admirable effect. 

 But it is to be understood that I mean only in situations 

 where ornamental or picturesque scenery, and not profit ; 

 is the object of the owner. Near a gentleman's residence, 

 however, there are few who will grudge a moderate 

 sacrifice of the latter to obtain a pleasing union of both 

 objects. For "bush planting" in the park, by means of 

 the transplanting machine, no given tree exceeds the 

 Beech, on account of several of the properties above 

 noticed. This is a practice which is wholly new, at least 

 in Scotland ; but I trust it will prove (as described in 

 the sequel) not uninteresting to the reader. 



There is another very important use to which the 

 Beech has of late years been applied, (and, I believe, first 



