THE NATURALIZATION OF EXOTICS. 
61 
to memory the numerous instances of plants that have been treated as greenhouse 
or stove species, afterwards ranking among the hardiest of our trees and shrubs, or 
being only covered in extremely severe weather. The valuable Larch, one of the 
most robust of all our timber trees, was originally placed in a house, until it was 
accidentally discovered that it grew better in the open air, under every conceivable 
disadvantage. Every one is aware that Aucuba japonica, which endures cold better 
than some of our commonest evergreens, was once consigned to a stove. Vaeonia 
Moutan , a shrub that very seldom needs shelter, was similarly treated by the early 
cultivators. Were it necessary, a hundred other plants might be adduced, whose 
culture has undergone a like revolution, but w T e have now rather to deal with 
principles than examples. 
There are not wanting, however, those who account for all such effects, by 
asserting that every plant at present grown in British gardens was always equally 
hardy, had its capacity been fairly tested — a position which we have no inclination 
to dispute, any farther than it applies to the same species in different countries. 
That many of the hardy exotics which now adorn our pleasure grounds would, if at 
once transferred from their native soil, or from a common greenhouse, have speedily 
perished or been greatly damaged, if not in some way preserved from the prejudicial 
action of the atmosphere, at stated periods, we distinctly and unreservedly affirm. 
Indeed, this must be too obvious to admit of a doubt ; for the wood formed in a 
warmer climate must necessarily be tender, and the time of development is generally 
earlier, or at a very remote season. 
Leaving the question of ultimate utility entirely out of consideration, the taste 
for naturalizing ornamental exotics is now so laudably prevalent, that any hints 
which may tend to secure success therein, will, we are certain, be duly esteemed ; 
and we therefore purpose here to record a few which have presented themselves in 
the course of our observation. The best locality, — its preparation, — the proper 
soil, — the kind of plants most suitable, and their management prior to planting, — 
with the subsequent culture and protection of the specimens ; each forms a topic on 
which we shall separately enlarge. 
Perhaps of all these, the one first proposed is of the most vital moment. Planters 
sometimes seem to imagine, that it cannot matter in what part of the garden or 
grounds a specimen is placed, provided it be partially surrounded with high trees, 
or other objects which will fulfil the office of screening it from the blasts common 
to particular quarters. The altitude of the spot, its distance from lakes or rivers, 
the flatness, undulation, or slope of its surface, the depth of the upper stratum of 
earth, and the character of the subsoil, are too seldom taken into account ; and yet 
they concur to cause all the singular diversities of climate which distinguish counties, 
parishes, or districts, and exert such a powerful influence on plants. 
In a recent paper, it has been proved that hilly tracts are the most favourable for 
half-hardy ligneous plants, on account of their being above the moisture which 
always accumulates in valleys, and freer from frosts. A sloping piece of ground has 
