230 



THE PARK PINETUM. 



PT. V. 



sinks to its former level, a raised outside rim remains. 

 Tliis rim prevents iniuidation from without, and facili- 

 tates irrigation from within. It also prevents cracks, in 

 drought, between the old and the new ground. These 

 cracks the roots have a difficulty in crossing. They 

 admit the drought, and harbour mice, which will 

 sometimes make a thoroughfare entirely round the 

 plant. If the pit is dug deeper than the upper soil, the 

 roots are enticed and entrapped in a cup whose sides 

 are impervious to them. 



The roots of the pot pinus should be carefully un- 

 wound ; if not they can never escape from the circular 

 growth which the pot has given them, and the plant will 

 die a self-strangled Laocoon. 



From mice, the small enemies which I have men- 

 tioned below the soil, to the reach of a horse, seven feet 

 above the soil, the pot park pinus has many enemies to 

 contend with, including colts, cows, calves, sheep, 

 lambs, hares, and rabbits ; and it must be confessed 

 that a park pinetum comes under the head of ' the 

 acquisition of pinuses under difficulties.' 



The common horse-fence, seven feet high, besides 

 being a great dis-sight, shuts your pet pot plant from 

 your view, perhaps for a dozen years. Instead of this, 

 I recommend a low inside sheep and game fence, and a 

 low outside cattle fence. As the cheapest sheep fence, 

 a rabbit-proof circular wattle fence round the pit may 

 be used, or an hexagonal wood fence four bars in 

 height with a wire game fence inside. And as the 



