able that those three were all of the spreading sort, which is more delicate than the upright. On examination I found that a heap of earth, near the spot, (which had been intended for compost,) was by accident wheeled up against the trees, covering their roots for several yards out, and to the depth of between two and three feet above the natural surface. The effect thus occasioned, of retaining the moisture, was abundantly striking, from the deep and healthful green of their leaves; for, although not a drop of rain fell for six weeks, during the months of June and July, yet no watering was required by them.

Since the period in question I have tried the same experiment, and with similar success. But, as quantities of earth are not always at hand, a substitute has been adopted which is more easy of transportation. It consists of the coarsest refuse of flax-mills, after both the tow and the flax have been separated, and therefore of no value whatever for any other purpose. This substance is always to be found in abundance at such places. By laying it as far out from the tree as the roots extend, and to the depth of from four to six inches, it forms nearly as good a covering as three times the earth, for the intended purpose. As it is both close and light in its texture, it is well adapted to receive as well as to retain the moisture, that may be supplied either by rain or by the watering-pan.

Of late years, however, I have attempted a bolder remedy, which, whether it be ultimately found to succeed or not, is worthy of the planter's attention. This is no less than to remove the tree previously to the ascension of the sap, and while the leaves are in full verdure.* The beginning or middle of October I should consider as

*NOTE XIV.

the proper time for the operation, when a week or two of fine weather usually occur in this ever variable climate. Of the Beeches which I have removed at this season, had the leaves immediately dropped off, I should not have been discouraged; but it is singular, that in every instance they adhered in spite of the severity of the process, and that the discoloration followed in the ordinary manner. This method has not as yet been tried on any extensive scale, or on subjects of great magnitude; but it promises to remedy the most striking defect of this desirable tree, and to place it upon a footing with others possessing the greatest facilities of removal.

Before taking leave of the Beech, it may be proper to notice a striking circumstance respecting the early and late kinds, in as far as hardiness, and of course facility of transplanting, is concerned. In the course of this review of the four principal forest trees, we have seen that such varieties exist in three of them—namely, the Oak, the Elm, and the Beech; and we shall find in the sequel, that they equally exist in the Sycamore, the Maple, and some others. In one and all of these, except perhaps the Elm, experience has taught us that the latest kinds always transplant the best, and that in fact lateness and hardiness are nearly convertible terms in respect to the whole of them. It is, no doubt, to be regretted, that, as in the instance of the Beech and the Sycamore, the greatest hardiness and the greatest picturesque beauty do not go together, which is the case with the Oak and the Ash. But a planter of skill will duly weigh and provide against those characteristic peculiarities in the former; and according to the kinds wanted, or the effects to be produced in his landscape, he will endeavour to compensate for what nature has denied, by science and industry.

SECTION XIV.

- HORSE

OF THE SYCAMORE-NORWAY MAPLE CHESTNUTCHESTNUT LIME-SCOTCH FIR-WILD CHERRY-LARCHBIRCH-HAWTHORN-MOUNTAIN ASH.

HAVING examined at so much length the nature and properties of the four principal forest trees-the Oak, the Ash, the Elm, and the Beech-it is not necessary to dwell on those of the others with the same degree of minuteness. In real or artificial landscape, although these will always be the staple of the composition, yet there are some other trees, which may be esteemed little short of them for effect in the picturesque details of an extensive lawn or park in this climate, and are therefore worthy of particular attention. Under that head I should class the Sycamore, Norway Maple, Chestnut, Horse-chestnut, Lime, Scotch Fir, Wild Cherry, Larch, and Birch; and perhaps the Hawthorn and the Mountain Ash might be added to the number.

Of the rest, some may be considered as materials for underwood, and some as exotics, which should be encouraged only under the most favourable circumstances of both climate and soil. I know, in respect to exotics, that fashion in the present day has ordained otherwise; but that mandate weighs little with me, who follow no guides but reflection and experience. But if I may presume to dissent from that great arbitress of science as well as taste, I should venture to recommend, to the young

planter, as well as transplanter, to cultivate only what will grow well in the soil and climate in which it happens to be placed; and that he should rather be ambitious of vigorous and luxuriant shoots in his woods, than of the rarest names in the nurseryman's catalogue. There are, nevertheless, judicious friends of mine, persons of considerable information and intelligence, who place but a small value on the former when compared with the consequence which they conceive to belong to the latter object.

The first tree in point of rank and importance, after the four distinguished forest trees above mentioned, is

THE SYCAMORE, OR GREATER MAPLE.

The Sycamore, (Acer pseudo-platanus) is of the Maple family, and usually called in Scotland the Plane-tree. This and the Norway Maple, being the only two of that genus which grow to great timber, well deserve to be separately classed among our principal forest trees; but most of the other Maples-the sugar Maple, the common, and the Ash-leaved kinds excepted (which may be considered as middle-rank trees)—are little better than shrubs in this climate. The Sycamore has two distinct varieties, the early and the late, which I do not know that any other writer has noticed.*

This noble tree is a native of Switzerland, Austria, and Italy, where it grows wild in mountainous situations, but in the opinion of most naturalists, it is not indigenous to Britain. Ray speaks of it in his time as common about churchyards, avenues, and noblemen's seats; so that it has been naturalised at least two or three centuries, and is justly regarded as one of our hardiest and most beauti

* NOTE I.

ful forest trees. In point of utility, it ranks deservedly high, being in great request with the turners, the carpenters, and the mill-wrights. In many parts of Scotland, it bears a price superior to that of the Elm or Ash. The wood, like that of the sugar Maple, is said to give out in burning a greater proportion of heat than most other trees; the charcoal made of it is preferable for the forge to any other, kind, and is said to possess a specific gravity one-fifth greater than any known charcoal.*

The Sycamore grows to a great size in this our northern climate, and is eminent as a lawn tree for the amplitude of its leaf and its spreading top. Even Gilpin, fastidious as he is, allows it a considerable share of picturesque merit. It is particularly valuable in extensive park plantations, as it will grow freely in any ground which has a light and porous subsoil. There is, perhaps, no tree so well adapted to open exposures, or that will so firmly resist the blast. It never shows, as most trees do in such situations, what is called a weatherside, but balances itself equally in spite of every wind that blows. The value of the Sycamore, as a nurse in young plantations, has never been sufficiently appreciated. In such especially as are exposed to the sea-breeze, it ranks higher than the Scotch Fir or the Larch; for in that atmosphere, while every other plant seems to droop around it, it stands erect and vigorous, bidding defiance to the tempest.

This beautiful tree is among the first in our climate that cheers the spring with its vivid green; and it is to be lamented that it should be the first to fade, on the slightest breath of autumnal frost. What renders it so peculiarly valuable to the transplanter, is both its hardiness in bearing the process of removal, and its facility in

* Mem. Caledon. Hort. Soc., vol. ii. p. 383.

+ NOTE II.