to rear one species of tree better than another. When these different soils are, therefore, planted with the different trees best adapted to each, masses of diversified outline will adorn the landscape, having all the effect of a tasteful design, and the trees will be individually of the most healthy growth, a point of the last importance in ornamental effect. Experience proves that, for elevated situations, the Scotch fir, Pinus sylvestris, the Norway spruce, Pinus abies, the larch, Pinus larix, the hooked pine, Pinus uncinatus, the birch, Betula alba, the sycamore, Acer pseudo-platanus, and the mountain ash, Pyrus aucuparia, are the most profitable these, with the silver fir, Pinus picea, black Italian poplar, Populus nigra, the alder, Alnus glutinosa, and the Bedford Willow, Salix Russelliana, according to the soil, are also the best adapted to plaut as nurses for rearing the more valuable timber trees. For low, damp, and boggy soils, the alder, ash, birch, abele-tree, and the willow, are the best. ever To resist the effects of the sea-blasts, the sycamore, pinaster, yew, and laburnum have all been found superior to most kinds of trees. The live oak is a very tender tree, and will not exist in England. The habits of the live oak (Quercus virens) offer a prospect of this tree being serviceable for the above important purpose. It is a native of South Carolina, and there it is seldom found above twelve miles from the sea-coast. It thrives best when growing on isolated spots or little islands entirely surrounded by salt water. On the estate of Middleburg, situated on the Cooper river, twenty-four miles from Charlton, South Carolina, belonging to J. Lucas, Esq. of New Cross, Surrey, live oak trees averaging twenty-five feet in height, and nine inches in diameter, were selected from the woods by that gentleman and planted in the form of an avenue to his residence. The trees were taken up with as many of the fibrous roots as possible. The tops were lightened by partially reducing the size and number of the branches. Every tree succeeded well, and in the space of two or three years from the time of transplanting they were not to be distinguished from those in the neighbourhood which had grown unmolested. These facts shew that this tree is of hardy vivacious habits, and being also an green, warrants a fair trial of its merits on the coasts of England. Transplanting trees of large growth for immediate effect properly belongs to another division of the subject, ornamental planting. It may not be unnecessary, however, to state shortly the principles of the practice as lately brought forward by Sir H. Stewart, in his Planters' Guide. These are to take up the tree, with all its roots, fibres, and rootlets, and also the green or external system of branches and buds entire and unbroken, then to transplant these roots, rootlets, and external system of the tree in the same perfect state. The soil into which such trees are transplanted should be of a superior quality to that from whence they were taken, or at least that portion of it applied immediately to the rootlets should have an addition of very rotten manure. A point of great importance to success is the selection of the subjects. 1st. The tree should have a superior thickness and induration of the bark compared to that of trees which have grown up in a crowded state. 2d. Stoutness and superior girt of stem. 3d. Numerousness of roots, fibres, and rootlets. And, 4th, extent, balance, and closeness of branches. Where a tree, otherwise desirable, possesses not these protecting properties, it should be provided with them previous to transplanting by uncovering the roots partially, so as not to injure the stability of the tree during the process. To these exposed roots is applied a compost of fine earth, into which they shoot, and produce in two or three years numerous rootlets fit for transplanting. The overgrown branches are reduced so as to balance the top on every side, if it require it. To assist the bark, such trees as intercept the air and solar rays are removed. These effects are also produced to the roots by cutting a trench at a proper distance from the stem round the roots, and filling up the trench with good soil; in two or three years, the roots will be increased in numerous ramifications as in the former mode. CHAPTER IV. Of the Soils and Sites most profitably employed in the Growth of Timber; intimate Nature of different Soils peculiarly adapted for the Growth of particular species of Forest Trees. FROM what has been said respecting the advantages of judicious planting, the lands and sites most proper for the growth of timber will have been generally understood. There has been a difference of opinion whether land under woods or under tillage is the most profitable and beneficial to the proprietors and the public; the question is similar to that which exists respecting the comparative value of tillage land and permanent pasture, and may be solved in the same manner, viz., that the prosperity, if not the absolute existence, of the one is dependent on the other, and the interests of individuals as well as the public on both. The occupiers of land where woods are scarce, or wanting altogether, and those where they are in too great abundance, will coincide in the truth of this observation. The proportion which woods should bear to tillage and pasture lands in any one district of country depends on the nature of the soil, and the local demand for certain kinds of produce. There can be but one opinion as to the advantages of planting exposed waste lands, and those that are steep, rocky, or precipitous. The loss to individuals and to the nation, by such large tracts of lands as those now alluded to lying utterly unproductive, is incalculable. Lands of rather a superior quality to those, or which are accessible to the plough, and the barrenness of which is owing to exposure and ungenial climate, offer great inducements to forest-tree planting. For when the improvement is completed it is, to its extent, so much added to the territorial extent of the empire, in affording the means of sustenance as well as the enjoyment of human life*. Lastly, where the local climate and soil are good, but where, at the * From among the many instances to be found in Scotland of these effects produced by judicious planting in changing the face of nature from that of a desolate waste to comparative fertility and riches, may be particularly mentioned Blair Adam, the seat of the Lord Chief Commissioner Adam. Here land which, in its natural state, would scarcely afford any rent, has been so much improved by the skilful adaption of the different species of forest trees to the soil and site, the subsequent culture, and, above all, the judicious disposition or arrangement of the masses and narrower spaces of the plantations, as to render the shelter and amelioration of the local climate so genial as to produce corn and green crops as well as permanent pasture capable of rearing and fattening the improved breeds of stock (a). In England, barren moor soils have, in many instances of late years, been successfully planted. At East Court, in Berkshire, the seat of Charles Fyshe Palmer, Esq., M.P., a tract of extremely poor heath soil has been successfully planted by that gentleman. In a few years the aspect and climate of this before dreary, barren tract of land, will be completely changed. The plantations of Robert Denison, Esq., at Kilnwick Percy, Yorkshire, are arranged in the most judicious manner for shelter and improvement of the local climate. Mr. Hazlewood's larch plantations at Slaugham Park, in Sussex, are also arranged in the most effective manner for the improvement of the local climate. But there is scarcely a county in England where such barren soils existed, where examples may not be found of the beneficial effects of judicious planting. (a) Vide Appendix to the Agricultural Report of Kinrosshire. same time, a scarcity of timber exists for the periodical wants of agricultural and manufacturing operations, as for the various purposes of buildings, implements of husbandry, fencing, poles, machinery, fuel, &c., planting is of great importance and utility to the community. In many cases, where the soil is of greater value, the planting may be confined to the angles of enclosures, and to hedge-rows. In this last case it may be necessary to observe, that the land of the lowest comparative value for corn crops, and the most eligible for shelter and shade where required, should be chosen for planting. When it happens that not all of these peculiarities of soil and site call imperiously for planting, it is proper to consider whether the value of timber or of coppice produce will not be greater from a given space of ground than that of corn or grass. The rent of the land will assist in determining the point, with the local demand for these crops. From numerous estimates of the returns from woodlands, compared to those of corn and pasture lands, under a variety of different circumstances, as to market for the produce, soils, and situations, 10s. per acre, per annum, of rent is considered the general maximum value of land, above which it ought not to be planted, but retained in corn or grass, and all land which rents under that value affords a very superior revenue under woods or plantations. There are undoubtedly many local circumstances which make exceptions to this rule; as where timber is scarce, or where the demand for certain kinds is unusually great, as in the neighbourhood of mines, hopplantations, &c. There are instances on record of produce of the value of from 20l. to 60l. per acre, per annum, being afforded by woodlands; these, however, are extreme cases, and are here mentioned merely to show that exceptions may occur to the above mentioned rule; and that such returns are greater than can be expected from any other kind of crop whatever, particularly considering that the cost of culture, as repairs of fences, cutting down, and perhaps carting, is comparatively trifling to that of tillage and manuring, which every other crop of value besides wood requires. It may be useful to take a more intimate view of the nature or composition of those varieties of soil which have now been alluded to. It is proper, however, to observe, that the following statements of the nature or constituents of these soils are not intended to convey the idea that they are the best sorts respectively for the different kinds of forest-trees, but principally to show that on such soils these trees have attained to great perfection of growth. The soils were selected from the spots where the trees mentioned in connexion with the soils were found by the writer of this treatise, and the trees were, on an average, the finest of the respective kinds which have come under his observation. * The plantations made by the present Duke of Bedford are highly worthy of notice under this head of the subject, as being planned and executed in the most judicious manner. A statement of the number of trees and quantity of ground planted by John, Duke of Bedford, from the year 1802 to the present period, 1829; viz. Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire Quantity of Ground. 633 2 24 Number of 2,545,357 Exclusive of 400 bushels of acorns and other seeds dibbled in. A. R. P. Trees. 2,859,754 330,750 Exclusive of 280 bushels of acorns The great importance of precision in the nomenclature of soils, whether in the details of planting or in husbandry, must be so clear and evident to every person who may be desirous to profit by the results of others' experience in these subjects, that it would be superfluous here to add more on the point. 1st.-Heath soil, or siliceous sandy moor soil, incumbent on shale or ferruginous stones, and frequently on siliceous sand of great depth. 400 parts consisted of fine siliceous sand Carbonate of lime Carbonate of magnesia Decomposing vegetable matter, chiefly composed of the de- Silex, or impalpable earth of flints Alumina, or pure matter of clay Oxide of iron Soluble matter, principally common salt, or muriate of soda 320 2 1 55 11 3 4 4 400 The Scotch fir, Pinus sylvestris, the birch, and the beech, are found to succeed better on a soil of the above description than any other kind of tree. For the latter, however, it is necessary that the subsoil should be a deep sand. The larch and spruce, under the like circumstances as to subsoil, will also attain to good perfection on heath soil; but where the subsoil is rocky, or impervious to a free circulation of moisture by indurated sand, which is sometimes the case, these last-mentioned trees never succeed; the Scotch fir only maintains its growth. 2nd.-400 parts of poor sandy soil, incumbent on shale, or very coarse gravel. Fine sand, principally siliceous Impalpable earthy matter, 40 consisting of carbonate of lime Silex, or pure earth of flints Alumina, or pure matter of clay Oxide of iron 360 0 4 22 7 The pine, larch, spruce, birch, and sycamore are the most proper for this kind of soil. 3rd.-Sandy loam, incumbent on siliceous sand, containing a large proportion of oxide of iron.-400 parts. Fine sand, partly calcareous, and partly siliceous Coarse sand Carbonate of lime Decomposing vegetable matter Silex, or the earth of flints Alumina Oxide of iron Soluble vegetable matter, containing sulphate of potash, vegetable extract, and common salt 200 84 6 15 56 12 5 Loss 24 400 The larch, pine, and fir tribe in general will succeed well on a soil of this texture, although the beech comes to the greatest perfection, or is, perhaps, the plant most profitable to employ in planting soils of this nature, particularly when the subsoil happens to be deep sand, as is the case of the soil on which the celebrated beech trees grow in Woburn Abbey Park. A figure of one of the finest of these trees is given in Pontey's Forest Pruner. 4th.-Light sandy siliceous soil, incumbent on a damp clayey subsoil. Siliceous sand, of various degrees of fineness Gravel partly calcareous Impalpable loamy matter, consisting of carbonate of lime Silica, or earth of flints Alumina or clay Oxide of iron Decomposing vegetable matter Moisture and loss 290 The oak grows rapidly on this soil, and should constitute the principal timber tree of the plantation. The sweet chestnut also attains to great maturity in the same kind of soil. The nurse trees most proper are the larch, spruce, and particularly the silver fir. The elm planted on this soil had not attained to the size of the above mentioned trees in the same period from planting, but the timber was considered of a superior quality. 5th. Clayey loam, incumbent on a clay subsoil. Coarse gravel, partly calcareous 40 190 16 14 90 30 7 5 8 Oxide of iron Soluble vegetable extract and saline matters, containing 400 This soil brings the oak to the highest state of perfection. The above results of analysis were afforded by an average sample of the soil of a part of Woburn Abbey Park, where some of the finest oaks probably in England may be seen, excepting those of Lord Bagot at Blythfield Park. The following nine trees grow near together on the soil above described, and are therefore here selected to show the powers of a soil so constituted in the production of oak timber. Oak No. 1.-The bole or stem measures, in timber, upwards of 50 feet in height, and the limbs extend from the stem 40 feet. At 3 feet from the ground |