F G R K S T - T R E E S. 147 



Though I have diretfled tlie fpriiig as the mofl proper fcafoii 

 for planting Firs and Pines, which, for fcedlings, and tender 

 forts, it is, — yet I mufl beg the Reader's fvirther indulgence a 

 little, in recommending what will be found the greateft improve- 

 ment ever was pra6lifed on moft of the Evergreen fpecies, if ge- 

 nerally attended to. The experiment is cheap and eafy, and 1 

 want no more than the trial to have it approved by all the 

 planters in Great Britain. It is no more, than, in place of the 

 fpring, to plant all the hardy kinds of them that have arrived 

 to a foot in height and upwards in Auguft, as foon as they 

 have perfedled their (hoots. Many thoufands, for a fiiccefllon of 

 years, have I planted at that feafon, without once having failed 

 in my moft fanguine expe<5latiGns ; but before that trial, in un- 

 kindly fprings, and dry fummers, I have loft great numbers, 

 though all polTible care had been taken ; and I dare fay, every 

 extenhve and ingenuous planter will acknowledge his cafe has 

 been fimilar to mine. Though experience is the only unerring 

 guide in operations of Gardening, yet there appears good natu- 

 ral reafons in favour of this feafon : The flioots of the plants 

 are now ripened, — the ground is ftill warm, and pregnant with 

 vegetation, — by working tfie earth, that vegetation is as it were 

 artificially put in frefli arid more vigorous motion, — rain at this 

 time is feldom or never wanted ; — all which circumftances con- 

 joined, muft prove highly favourable to new-planted trees: 

 From this happy temperature of the earth and feafon, the trees 

 ftrike root immediately as if in a hot-bed, and have nothing to 

 oppofe them till the froft comes on, before which they are fufli- 

 ciently eftabliftied, and ftrengthened to refift its power. To all 

 thefe advantages, the expence of watering in the fpring and 

 fummer months is faved, the winter rains having provided a- 

 gainft the common danger of fuffering from dry weather ; and 



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