THE PLANTEe's GUIDE. 



359 



Considering the beauty as well as the hardiness of this 

 noble tree, it is a subject of regret that it is so rarely to 

 be seen in the parks of either Scotland or England, 

 excepting in crowded masses, or at an early age, as nurses 

 to other trees. In summer, its beautiful green, if pro- 

 perly disposed and contrasted, would never offend a 

 correct taste ; and in winter it would be invaluable, 

 during the general absence of other verdure. In this 

 view, I grieve to say that it does not transplant easily. 

 Miller, who is generally extremely accurate as to facts, 

 observes, that neither its roots nor branches bear ampu- 

 tation weU, owing to the quantity of turpentine which 

 issues from the wounds, and thereby weakens the tree. 

 This is unfavourable to the process both of preparing and 

 taking up ; accordingly, I have found that the roots, 

 which are naturally scraggy, have, on being cut, little 

 disposition to tlirow out fresh fibres; and thus a sufficient 

 number of mouths is not provided for conveying nourish- 

 ment to the tree during the fii'st season after removal, 

 which is always the precarious one. 



I have, however, transplanted the Scotch Fir (as a 

 park tree) from eighteen to thirty feet high, and thirty 

 inches or three feet in girth, after three years' prepara- 

 tion, and also without it. The success may be said to 

 have been tolerable in such an experiment, as I lost only 

 about one-sixth part of the whole number removed. As 

 to the best season for executing the work, I have tried it 

 variously, in the end of March, in May, and in the middle 

 of July ; and I am extremely doubtful which I should 

 recommend as the most advisable. As an evergreen, it 

 ought to succeed best either late in the spring, or soon 

 after midsummer. But, on the other hand, in taking up 

 this tree when the sap is in full flow, so much injury is 

 found to be done to the fibres, from the extreme tender- 



