THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, Mauch 2, 1858. 
386 
ance of fibres nestling just under the surface. It is 
almost needless to look for moss on the stems of trees 
thus situated, their bark generally shines with a polish 
of a very different character. Their early-made shoots 
progress with rapidity at the very period (June) when 
the ill-used trees receive their first snubbing with 
blight. But their young shoots are compact and short- 
pointed, presenting, altogether, a very different appear¬ 
ance from the attenuated character of the young wood 
of the other class. Much less interior, or watery, spray 
will be produced; indeed, with trees well managed on 
the platform system, scarcely any. The trees having 
freely and heartily made their first growth, generally 
begin to solidify about the period when the ill-used 
trees are beginning to ramble (August); and, if any 
second growth is made, it is short, firm, and soon 
ended. As for dying points, there will not be much 
trouble concerning them, if the surface soil is genial 
and undug; unless tap roots have been permitted, 
when the trees will be, in part, liable to the grievances 
complained of in the other class. 
It is almost needless to add here, a description of 
the respective results: in the one case, dwarf, com¬ 
pact, comfortable-looking, and fruitful trees; in the 
other, gawky and barren skeletons, a discredit to 
the gardens. And, how could it be otherwise? It 
must be obvious to any one, on the slightest con¬ 
sideration, that when the surface-roots of any tree 
are annually mutilated, for eight or nine inches in depth, 
that what roots the tree has remaining, must be several 
weeks later in receiving the necessary amount of 
ground heat—produced by the return of summer— 
than trees whose fibres are just beneath the surface. 
The effect is, as before stated, the well-cared-for tree 
makes its early growth with the adjunct of a lively 
root action; thus bidding defiance to the extreme 
ravages of insect foes. The tree, dug over, is impelled 
to growth in the shoots,,by the heated atmosphere, 
weeks before the deep roots are put in active motion ; 
here is, surely, some difference in conditions! The 
early growths of the latter are almost sure to suffer in 
some way; they are in little better position than a cut 
down stump, thrown across a brook ; such as we all 
have seen manjr a time, attempting to shoot as springs 
return. The first growths being foiled, we arrive, 
probably at, or near Midsummer, when the sun has 
warmed the soil to a greater depth, and the ill-fated 
tree, clinging with tenacity to life, makes another bid 
for an annual growth. But, as before observed, our 
autumns are not long enough, and hot enough, to 
mature this growth, and, at last, a morbid condition is 
the consequence, and the cultivator cuts the tree down 
in despair. 
I have stated this much, as paving the way to a few 
remarks on the immense benefits arising from a system 
of coaxing surface or shallow roots. This is called by 
various names — as surfacing, mulching, top-dressing, 
&c. But here let us distinguish a little. These va¬ 
rious names should be reduced to two processes, which 
are, indeed, somewhat distinct, viz., mulching and 
surface-dressing. Mulching ,in the practical gardener’s 
acceptation, means applying half-rotten manure over a 
tree’s roots, to prevent them becoming dry. It is in¬ 
tended to obviate the necessity for the watering-pot. 
Surface-dressing is specially intended to induce, and 
preserve, surface roots. 
NTow, there are more ways than one of performing 
these operations. As for mulching, to preserve moisture, 
that needs little description; it seems specially in¬ 
tended to avert solar influences, which we invite, in 
these times, to tender fruits ; and is, indeed, con¬ 
fined chiefly to trees of coarse, or hardy habits, and 
which depend not so much on ground heat. With 
regard to surfacing, we -must remember two things : 
first, that the material should have a capacity for 
receiving and transmitting warmth; and secondly, 
that it may prove, ultimately, an abiding medium, 
adapted to the needs of the roots thereby induced. 
I find nothing superior to chopped loamy turf and 
vegetable matter, such as half-decayed tree leaves; 
these, in about equal quantities, furnish an excellent 
material. If the loam is very adhesive, I mix some 
charred rubbish with it. Indeed, I prefer the latter 
course, as it makes the whole darker; and, doubtless, 
assists in the absorption of heat—a material point with 
tender trees. 
NTow, what I would recommend is a surface-dress¬ 
ing annually to choice fruits, although it be only an 
inch, or a little more. 
If some persons, who understand these things, 
think that annual transplanting is not too expensive 
a process, why, surely it cannot be supposed too 
much to apply a little dressing, on the same principle 
as we manure a piece of Cabbage or Celery ground, 
which, of course, is an annual affair. It is most 
strange that people should so neglect their tender 
fruits. There seems to have been a general impression 
that a fruit tree, once planted, should fight its own 
way; and, indeed, with ordinary coarse - growing 
orchard trees, such is obliged be the case. But this 
does not prove that an annual attention, as much as 
is awarded to any ordinary crop, will not prove 
profitable. Talk of profit, what so unprofitable as 
coarse fruit trees, unfruitful, and smothering other 
crops, from year to year ? the proprietor feeding 
on delusive hopes, instead of Apples, Pears, &c. Here 
lie the reasons why so many fruit trees are unsatis¬ 
factory ; but let it not be, for a moment, supposed 
that I blame practical gardeners, as a body, for either 
ignorance or apathy in the affair. This is not so 
much a question of manures, as of labour; and hun¬ 
dreds of gardeners, of the less fortunate class, pass by 
trees thus situated, simply because, whilst attempting i 
to push one matter to its utmost, something else must j 
be set aside. In many cases, an extra labourer, for i 
awhile, would set all right. And, indeed, to aim at 
the highest perfection in the numerous things, which 
pertain to modern gardening, is no mean task to mark j 
out; and necessarily involves expence in one shape or 
other. But bad gardening is no better than bad farm¬ 
ing ; and there is nothing like carrying out the object 
to its full extent, although such may limit the desires 
in other respects. 
But, to return to the surface-dressing for a moment. 
There is a time, as well as a mode, of applying it. I 
here advise that a few main points be kept well in 
view. In the first place, I urge that late in spring is 
the most eligible period. I would have this surface- 
dressing retain surface-moisture, when it can be se¬ 
cured. This, however, pre-supposes that the trees 
are on sound platforms, or otherwise so situated, as I 
that no stagnation can possibly occur. It is of the 
utmost importance, with tender kinds of fruits, to per¬ 
mit the solar rays, up to the very end of May, to enter 
freely. Applications of this kind should, therefore, be 
withheld until the object be accomplished. And it is 
of importance that this covering should succeed on 
the heels of a liberal spring rain, provided the pre¬ 
ceding period has been somewhat dry, which is fre¬ 
quently the case. Surface-dressing, in my opinion, is, 
therefore, best applied in the last week of May, or 
the first week in June; but as to weather, we must, 
of course, leave a margin on its behalf. 
We may now consider the thickness most eligible. 
It may have been observed, that if the compost ap¬ 
plied is one-half vegetable soil, such will diminish by 
decay into a very small compass ; therefore, the loam 
alone may be counted on as permanent depth. If j 
