
            On PLANTATIONS and PLANTING.

when singly planted among deciduous trees; therefore if it is agreeable
to the eye in continued plantations, how much more so will the appearance
be where the plantation is laid in distinct clumps, or even in open
groves?

THE best soil for trees and shrubs to thrive in, is undoubtedly a rich
loam of four or more feet in depth. In such land, most plants will grow in
the greatest vigour and luxuriancy; but many places are not furnished with
such soil where it is required to form new plantations, many sites being
composed of a strong clay, others of a dry gravel or sand, some of chalk, &c.
and many with various intermixtures; it should therefore be well considered
in either of these kinds of earths, what trees and shrubs will agree
and best thrive therein.  This is a matter of no small consequence to the
future beauty of the plantation; for as there are many hardy kinds of trees,
which will grow in almost any soil, so there are others which will make but
little progress, unless they have such earth to grow in as is more suitable to
their nature; some plants delighting in a strong clay, others thriving best
on a moderately dry soil, and many where the land is frequently overflowed
with water. For this reason, it were better, where the soil is of the undesirable 
kind, to relinquish having a great variety of plants thereon, chusing
only those of more certain growth, which  may thrive tolerably well; not
but some few of other kinds may be tried, as sometimes curious trees or
shrubs will grow where it might be expected they would not succeed.

PREVIOUS to the act of planting, and particularly where small trees and
shrubs are intended to form the plantation, the earth should be well trenched
up, and all noxious weeds taken out, which if left would be of 
much detriment to the growth of the plants, particularly the first and
second years. If the soil is a strong clay, it should be turned up in autumn,
that the sun, air, and frost may meliorate the parts against the season
of planting; but if the land is of such a gravelly nature as will not admit
of trenching, the surface may be broken up to be in readiness for the
use of the young plants which are to be put therein, and if such land is
very poor, or inclinable to barrenness, the soil may be considerably helped
with manure of a contrary nature, if conveniently to be obtained, and the 
plantation not very extensive; or at each place where a plant is intended to
be set, a hole may be openend at least three feet wide, and two feet deep,
(or as much wider and deepeer as you please) which may be filled up with a
strong loam, or other good rich earth, intermixed with the broken up surface,
to be in readiness for the reception of the trees and shrubs to be
planted therein. In this prepared earth the trees will more readily strike root
and grow, and be the better enabled to withstand the droughts of the succeeding 
summer.

IN strong clayey soils, there will be very little occasion for opening holes
deeper than a foot, unless some very large rooted trees are intended to be
planted therein. In this kind of soil a preparation of light mould is most
eligible
        