ARAUCARIA IMBRICATA. 
11 
that it has any disinclination to moisture. Like the majority of Conifers, it likes water, notwithstanding 
Pceppig s statement, already quoted, that in Chili its favourite habitat is steep rocky ridges where there is no 
water. That statement must not be taken too literally. The testimony of other travellers (such as that of 
Pavon above quoted) shews merely what we see at home, that it is not fresh water, or plenty of it, that it 
dislikes, but stagnant water, which disagrees with it. It cannot endure water standing about its roots. A 
wet subsoil is destruction to it as soon as its roots reach it; but, properly applied, it delights in moisture. 
We may give, as an illustration of moisture properly applied, the instance of the two trees which stood 
in the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, of which we have already spoken. These are reported to have 
owed much of their unusual size and vigour to an intelligent appreciation of their natural conditions in their 
native country, and a practical imitation of it in this, by Mr M‘Nab, who has charge of the Botanic Garden 
in Edinburgh. He reasoned thus: “The Araucaria grows in a country whose climate is subject to 
excessive moisture at the period of the year when the winters snows on the peaks above begin to melt at 
the approach of summer. So far as moisture is concerned, therefore, the treatment indicated would appear 
to be a liberal supply of water in spring to imitate the melting of the snows.” On this hint Mr M‘Nab 
acted. “ During the last fifteen years,” says he (. Edin . Phil Trans ., 1862, p. 313), “the two large plants 
were regularly supplied every morning with thirty barrels of water, besides a triennial renewal of the soil 
round the extremities of the roots, composed of very old rotted manure and loam. This may account for 
the very large size of the annual layers produced during the last fifteen years, compared with those sections 
where mo extra water was given.” 
The success, in this instance, may also have been to some extent due to the trees being planted in 
good deep soil. We have already pointed out the advantage of this. Where the tree is growing in poor 
soil, top-dressing and stirring the surface above the roots will be found of great benefit. There used to be 
a strong prejudice against applying anything in the shape of manure to Coniferous trees, and it is not wholly 
abandoned even yet. Against its injudicious or excessive application we retain the prejudice ; but properly 
applied, it is not easy to exceed with the Araucaria. 
Mr Fowler (loc. cit., p. 158) narrates an instance of its application at Castle Kennedy, which, from its 
comparative character, would be conclusive on the point, if confirmation were needed :— 
“ I had an opportunity, some years ago, of seeing this illustrated on rather a large scale. An avenue had to be made level across, running 
east and west, on a piece of ground hanging considerably to the north, which involved 3 or 4 feet of cutting on the south side, and the same amount 
of banking on the north side; the surface soil on the south side was taken off, to the depth of 18 inches or 2 feet, and retained. The trees in due 
course were planted. For a few years afterwards they made nearly equal progress on both sides, till the roots of those on the south side reached 
the subsoil (an impenetrable gravel) ; those on the opposite side, having depth of open porous soil, shot rapidly ahead—a state of matters which 
was very objectionable, and to remedy which it was necessary to commence top-dressing. This had to be cautiously gone about, as a prejudice did 
then, and still exists to some extent, against applying anything like manures to Coniferous plants. I commenced by using what is known as 
vegetable waste as a top-dressing the refuse of the garden after being well rotted. The beneficial effect was soon apparent. In a few weeks the 
colour of the foliage became much darker, and in the following season the growth of the trees treated in this manner was much greater, and for 
years afterwards the effect was apparent. I have since very frequently applied liberal top-dressings of any rich compost I can get hold of, including 
rotten leaves, old hot-bed dung, &c., to any Conifers which assume that dry unhealthy appearance which many of them do when planted on poor 
thin soils. The result is very satisfactory with all, but with none more so than with the A. imbncata. I generally apply the top-dressings either 
in winter or spring, but any other season might answer.” 
Mr Fowler also speaks of the advantage of stirring the soil and keeping it clear of weeds—a practice 
now very generally adopted for all trees which are much cherished or require care:— 
The Araucaria thrives much better when the soil is occasionally stirred and kept clear of weeds. An avenue was planted here in 1847. 
The one side has always since been dug, hoed, and kept clean. The other is and has been under grass since planted. The growth of the trees 
averages somewhere in the proportion of 9^ on the grass to 12 on the red land. Previous to planting, the soil on both sides had been trenched 
to the depth of nearly 2 feet. If any difference in quality exists, it is in favour of the side under grass.” 
The Araucaria, generally speaking, does not suffer from vermin, although sometimes rabbits attack 
it. Sheep, however, seem to be fond of it. Some years since we happened to visit the late Mr Blandy, of 
High Grove, Reading, the morning after a flock of sheep had been imprudently turned into a small field of 
his in which were a row of young unprotected Araucarias: next morning every Araucaria was standing 
[ 3 2 ] g under 
