THE PLANTING SEASON. 
257 
little circle which had been improved for them, tiiey began to degenerate, and 
afterwards became visibly more and more impoverished. 
The advice that we would inculcate, then, from these statements of facts is, 
— and we hope every planter will feel induced to adopt it — -that, as a question 
of sound economy and policy, it is always best to see that a thorough basis is laid 
for a thriving plantation, by rendering the drainage perfect and the soil sufficiently 
pulverised, enriched, or strengthened ; allowing time, in the effectuation of this, 
for the decomposition of all crude matters that may naturally be present, or may 
necessarily be applied, prior to the actual insertion of the plants. 
When we allude to the usefulness of exercising a wise discretion in selecting 
plants for removal, we include several things. First, if they are to be obtained 
from a nursery, it is of the highest consequence that the soil of that nursery 
should be studied before fixing upon it as the source of supply. Some nurseries 
are situated where the soil is a deep rich loam, and, consequently, the plants 
send down long centre roots, called tap roots, without spreading abroad near the 
surface those fine fibrous rootlets which constitute the chief resource of a freshly- 
planted specimen, and which enable it so much sooner to form a mature plant, 
besides imparting to it a symmetrical and ornamental bushiness. The mischief is 
increased in such places where the ground is also damp, inclining to wetness, for 
then an undue luxuriance is further engendered. 
There are other nurseries, the soil of which is of such a comparatively dry and 
shallow nature, sandy matter being pretty abundantly present, that all the roots 
which plants form in it extend horizontally, and branch out into numberless little 
fibres. This is more conspicuously the fact when the substratum is a rocky one. 
The difference in the value and usefulness of plants procured from two 
nurseries answering to each of the above descriptions, is really inconceivable, 
except to those who have experienced it. Having had occasion to test it within 
the last few years, we can speak most confidently as to the advisableness of 
choosing plants from that which has the kind of earth last mentioned. 
Nevertheless, soil is not the only thing which has to be thought of in buying 
nursery plants. The adaptation of the climate should be looked to. It is 
preposterous to expect things brought from a warm, sheltered, genial spot, where 
no kind of rough and prejudicial winds are experienced, to do well in a district 
which is greatly elevated or exposed to the sea, and subject to the most violent 
and detrimental gales. For plants to thrive, therefore, they should be had from a 
nursery which is at least as cold and open as the place in which they are to be 
planted. 
The same conditions will apply, in reference to similar matters, to any 
removals which may be effected in private gardens. The shallower and more 
open the soil may be, the better will the plant be furnished with those roots 
which are essential to its establishing itself speedily after it is transplanted. It may 
be laid down also as a rule, that there is a chance of failure when a plant is taken 
VOL. XII. NO. CXLIII. L L 
