ON THE MANAGEMENT OF FOEEST TREES. 
79 
tata, figured and described in the Bot. Mag., t. 1435, where it is said to have been 
originally brought to this country in 1770 by M. Richard, who found it growing on the 
decayed parts of the trunks of old trees, and moist situations, in the Malabar country, 
and the island of Ceylon ; and our present subject, C. axillaris, which in point of 
beauty is very superior to either of the others. 
It is by no means a new plant, having been introduced from the East Indies so long 
ago as 1822 ; but even to this day it is very rarely to be met with. During the whole of 
the latter part of the summer and autumn it produces a vast profusion of bright blue 
flowers from the axils of its narrow, dark green leaves. 
With a little care it can be rendered an interesting object ; it can easily be made to 
form a dense bush of any shape. The Messrs. Henderson, at whose establishment we 
have frequently seen it, and where we had a drawing prepared, recommend young plants as 
the most serviceable for flowering ; old plants are very subject to damp off, and they do 
not flower so well, being less vigorous. 
Increase is effected by cuttings of the young shoots when about half ripe, planted in 
light soil, and placed in a gentle heat. 
ON THE MANAGEMENT OF FOREST TREES. 
(Continued from Page 58.) 
By Mr. Henry Bailey, Nuneham Park, Oxford. 
3rdly. The Importance of Trenching, and Loosening the Soil. — In many districts 
which can only be made available for the growth of forest trees, the steep incli- 
nations of surface, and contiguity of rock, render it impossible to give the soil a 
thorough preparation by trenching it all over. In such localities, however, the greater 
the extent and depth of the holes (in moderation) the greater will be the progress of 
the trees, and vice versa. Trenching or deep digging has long been practised in garden 
culture, and its advantages observed and appreciated, while (till within a few years) the 
rationale of the practice was ill understood by those who reaped benefit from its adoption. 
But we live in an age in which science has explained the advantages of deep cultivation, 
and in which the farmer, as well as the gardener, values it, as the next important step to 
drainage. In soil which is thoroughly loosened, the roots of all plants penetrate with 
greater freedom ; and not only does this action take place, but rain water passes with 
facility, and is followed by tbe air, which performs a most important office in rendering 
soluble those fragments of various rocks and stones which, from a variety of causes, have 
become reduced to atoms, and which yield in their decomposition the potash, soda, and 
other constituents of plants. 
Thus the practice of thoroughly loosening the soil yields greater abundance of food for 
plants, and gives their tender rootlets (spongioles) greater facilities in appropriating it. 
We say, therefore, let the ground be well trenched wherever the situation will admit of it ; 
but for forest trees avoid the use of manure. The growth consequent upon such prepara- 
tion will be both rapid and vigorous, in consequence of the abundant supply of prepared 
food. And here let me call attention to the important agency of light in digesting tbis 
supply presented. The value of timber depends greatly upon its density, and it must ever 
be borne in mind that the means of assimilating an abundant supply of food depend upon 
a full exposure to the all-powerful action of solar light. In its absence the leaves of 
trees cease to perform their important functions ; organisable matter is not generated, but 
elongation takes place. It is, therefore, necessary to thin early and progressively, in order 
to turn to the best account the increased supply of food which is afforded by a thorough 
preparation of the soil. 
4thly. Considerations as to the most Proper Season for Planting Forest Trees.- — Many 
