ON PLANTING ISOLATED TREES. 
159 
of moss, an Inch or more in thickness. The practice is adopted, though not for the 
purpose suggested, at Mr. Low's, Clapton, and it is found that the roots rise through 
tlie soil into the moss, and are there both more easily supplied with water, and 
nearer the atmospheric influences. On the moss becoming filled with roots, a httle 
soil or other moss can be placed above it, thus encouraging the most valuable 
rootlets to range near the surface ; the importance of w^hich is appreciated by every 
scientific culturist. 
Our objections to cultivating the Japan Lilies in a border, do not, of course, 
extend to the open ground. The main difference between the two situations is that 
while in the bed of a Camellia-house only vertical light could be received, which 
would unavoidably " draw " the plants towards the point at which it enters ; in an 
exposed border, the plants would be encompassed with light, the comparatively 
equal attraction of which on all sides would counteract the tendency to grow to a 
great perpendicular height, and impel them to the expansion of lateral branches 
when in a much dwarfer state. The distinction here made is of immense moment 
in the culture of tender exotics, and involves consequences which are daily ensuring 
fresh attention. 
We shall recur again and again to the subject of this article, and shall make 
these sketches embrace whatever novelty presents itself in the amelioration of 
plant culture. 
ON PLANTING ISOLATED TREES. 
^ r 
In extensive pleasure-grounds and parks, or even in smaller villa-gardens, nothing 
gives so delightful an air of richness, grandeur, and antiquity, as a few noble speci- 
mens of handsome trees. They at once attract the eye from the meaner features of 
a place ; raise an idea of durableness and permanence which is always grateful ; 
and invest everything with a kind of charm which spreads a veil over defects, and 
renders the more attractive features additionally interesting. 
If anything can weaken the effect of such striking objects, it is their being sur- 
rounded and their trunks partially concealed, by coarse and ragged shrubs ; or their 
symmetry destroyed, their beauty lessened, and their health injured, by the incon- 
gruous proximity of inferior specimens. And here we arrive at the question w^hich we 
now purpose lightly canvassing, viz.- — -how far it is politic and proper to encourage 
the plantation and growth of single specimens of trees on an ornamental estate. 
Much might be said in favour of either solitary trees or groups ; and each have, 
in fact, their own peculiar interest, and are alike desirable in particular localities. 
Two very general rules may perhaps be admitted on this point. Where the country 
in which an estate is situated happens to be exceedingly hilly and wild, it seems 
advisable that large plantations or woods should preponderate ; as great masses of 
