Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1828. Excerpt: ... be upon uneven ground, and, still more, if on a steep bank, as sometimes happens, it presents considerable difficulty to inexperienced planters. In this case, especial care must be had, to lay the roots in a direction corresponding to the slope, level in no part, but rising from the centre, on the one side, and falling from it, on the other. Hence, when the last tier on either side is finished, it has from six to eight inches of cover over it, at the general level of the ground. This, on the side of a hill of any steepness, it requires considerable skill to accomplish, so that the main body of the roots be brought within an equal distance from the surface, and receive proper benefit from the sun and air.--In the manner just now attempted to be described, the workmen, three and three together, in divisions or parties, proceed round the Tree, treating one parcel of roots after another in the same style, in succession, and, as soon as they meet, the work of distribution is completed. At this stage of the process, it cannot have escaped the discerning reader, that, contrary to the general practice, no decalcation or consolidating of the earth has, as yet, been directed, except in the execution of the retaining bank round the nucleus of the root; and yet the entire ordering of the roots and fibres is supposed to be finished. But I have found, by long experience, that an anxiety for immediate consolidation, which most planters possess, is not favourable to the fibrous roots of woody plants, small or great. That equability of pressure of the soil, which gradual subsidence alone can give, is not to be attained by any artificial means yet known, and, least of all, by treading, and pounding by the feet of workmen. It is one thing to fill in mould firmly round the n...