than standard ones; and, the wood and leaves being exposed to the full and equal action of the sun, perfect handsome fruits, fit for the banqueting table, which on standards would have only swelled the heap of waste and windfalls. Filberts, 100, at 4 ft. apart, on the boundary Arch, by way of Hedge, thickly 25 Red 100 Red trained on the outer Half of the Espalier Arch. 25 Barcelona 25 Cosford. Berberries, 135, at 3 ft. apart on the Fence. 20 Black 15 White. One side (the most exposed), it is presumed, is covered with laurels, 3 ft. apart, spurred and tied with wire. ART. VI. On the Propagating and Transplanting of Evergreens. By JOHN TURNHILL, Gardener to Charles Cowan, Esq., Valleyfield Bank, near Pennycuick. ON reading over Mr. Rutger's remarks upon the transplanting of evergreens (Vol. XII. p. 567.), I observe that he does not give the size of the plants which he has been so successful in transplanting, or the best method of propagating them. In the few remarks which I am about to make, I intend to give what appears to me the simplest and best method of propagating and planting evergreens; and it is one which I have practised for these ten years past. I take as many cuttings as I want from branches that are lying on the ground, which I prefer, because they are generally formed with small fibres, like maggots; and, when I cannot find any in this state, I select a plant or plants of the kind which I intend to propagate; and, taking a barrow load of good mould, I lay it all round the plant, keeping the soil shaded and damp. In the course of four months, the lower branches begin to form small fibres; and, when these are sufficiently advanced, which is generally about July 15., I prepare my cuttings, and plant them in rows; 1 ft. between the rows, and 3 in. apart in the row. By the July following, that is, twelve months after being planted, the cuttings will be found to have formed shoots from 9 in. to 12 in. long, and to have very handsome little balls. Such plants I prefer for transplanting to plants six times their age; as I can transplant them with safety at any season of the year, provided the weather be fine. I could carry such plants fifty miles, and not injure their balls. A plant of the common laurel, raised, in 1828, from a cutting treated in this manner, is now 7 ft. in height, with a head 49 ft. in circumference. No doubt it may sometimes, for a particular purpose, be proper to transplant large plants; and, if very carefully done, in a sheltered spot, and the plants be well watered and supported afterwards, they may succeed: but a plantation of any considerable extent will acquire a body and figure sooner by being formed with small plants than with large ones. Large tall plants require to have a staff placed near them, on which they may lean, and wait patiently till small ones have grown over their heads. When I remove any evergreen shrubs or trees, I always carry a little bast matting along with me, for my labourers to tie on the south side of the shrub or tree, as a mark to enable me to plant it in the same position with regard to north or south that it was in before; as I know from experience that it will not thrive unless this is attended to, especially if it belongs to the pine or fir tribe. Valleyfield, Nov. 21. 1836. |