ARBORICULTURE.—VII.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2563, 26 June 1882, Page 3

ARBORICULTURE. —VII.

The deodar* cedar, Wellingtonia, Japanese cedar, Part Oxford cedar, and the upright Cyprus, intermixed with some of the best habited silver and ipruoo fin, form when planted in equal proportions, either on a largo or small scale, one of,the grandest sights man can possibly produce. Although naturally separated and indigenous to different parts of the world distant from each other, when brought together by the hand of man they seem to luxuriate in the same soil, climate, and surroundings ; their varied forms, habits, and shades of green mingle together and result in happy contrasts, and as years roll on the struggle for the mastery so plainly seen in natural forests is carried on under more favorable circumstances than when trees are planted regardless of height and habit of growth. What we call the nursing or drawing up of trees, and look upon as the fundamental principle of timber culture, is nothing more nor less than what has justly been called by the renowned Darwin "tho great struggle for existence.” This principle, originally applied to the animal kingdom, where it brings to the front the most perfect animals and best of men, is none tho less appropriate when applied to the vegetable kingdom, where it produces the tallest trees, highest climbers, and hardiest plants. In a natural forest we behold, as in the history of nations, the few towering ahead at the expense or annihilation of the many; seeds

indiscriminately dispersed give those drat to germinate the 'advantage, and if any of these are naturally tall growers, the most rapid of them push on, whilst the weaker and slower are left to perish, and so fulfil the law of the survival of the fittest. On the other hand, when trees are planted without a knowledge of their respective height, habits, and requirements, the same results of destruction are effected ; they are subject to the same natural laws, and will as a consequence weed each other out. If tall and short growing trees are planted in an intermixed manner, the former arc bound to overtop the latter, and so prevent them ever arriving at a valuable size, and must of a necessity in time destroy them, unless naturally adapted as undergrowth. But when man utilizes the various channels of information and brings knowledge to bear upon the planting of trees, he improves, or rather assists, nature in equalizing the great struggle for existence ; for however natural the appearance of thin and half dead trees striving to live amongst others of robust growth may be, there is certainly nothing beautiful in it, although in Nature it is an essential result, as being the principal medium of obtaining manure for the growing trees and replenishing the soil, which but for the falling leaves, branches and dead trees would soon become impoverished and incapable of supporting vegetable life of any size. In this respect man has the advantage of Natnre, for In ornamental planting (the subject now under consideration) he can dispense with tho natural mode of supplying trees with nutriment by carting or barrowing it to them. In a plantation of the above named trees, or any similar to them, it will at once be seen that they all have about equal advantages, and if plantedJat a proper distance apart, say twelve feet, alternating with each other, so as allow equal space for spreading, they would never interfere with each others growth; on the other hand they would, as it were, give symmetry to their respective forms, and by judiciously distributing the pillar-like cypress and Japanese cedar amongst the others of a more spreading habit, would not enoroach upon each other for a great length of time. The ultimate objeot of this plantation being the production of valuable timber, it is, however, necessary that these trees should eventually tower ahead and loose their lower branches, which individually destroys the beauty of such trees as the deodara and Wellingtonia, whose pleasing appearance consists in their perfect pyramidal forms from base to apex. This inevitable result is obviated by planting the necessary congeners of snob a group of trees, and, in fact, increases the appearance of the plantation or block. Supposing the portion of land intended for planting is four or fire acres in extent, and of a more or less irregular shape; inclined to be circular. All having been thoroughly worked and as nearly as possible level, the Wellingtonias, silver and spruoe firs, deodaras, Oxford cedars, upright cypress end Japanese cedar, should occupy three-fourth* of the whole block, extending from the centre, which would leave an equal space all round the tall growing trees for the reception of the following smaller growing ornamental, yet valuable, trees:—

Botinoapora obtusa —This Is a very handsome, compact habited tree, of rapid growth under favorable circumstances. In its own country it serves a multitude of purposes, and is a great boon to the inhabitants. It often attains over 60ft in height, and besides producing a beautiful white grained timber of a silky lustre when planed, it supplies a bark of a very fibrous nature which is often made into ropes. Oupressus thuyoides, or white cedar of America, although not so handsome as many of the same family, cannot be overlooked in this list, as it is undoubtedly one of the most useful plants indigenous to that vast continent. The timber is of clear red color, highly scented, susceptible of a high polish, and very light, considering the almost imperishable nature of the wood. Used extensively for boats, cooperage, furniture, railway ties, and shingles in the Eastern States. Oregon white oedar or Thuja Lobbi, is one of the most ornamental trees introduced into this province. The pendulant branches and straight stem, with the great distance between the branches, renders it very conspicuous, and should always secure it a place, even where trees are not planted for commercial purposes. But when we think of the immense value of its timber in being one of the very bast woods for doors, sashes, and all purposes of moulding, there should be no hesitation to plant it on an extensive scale. Arbor Vitee—Somehow or other, people will persist in looking upon this tree as a shrub, and it in consequence never gets its proper treatment by being planted thickly as a forest tree. To my mind, there is not a more suitable tree in existence for this province, as it is not particular to soil, and stands wind equal to any. Ornamental when young, and in after years produces a timber almost unequalled for colonial purposes. In Canada and many of the States it would be difficult to point to a tree which has been of such use to the settlers in supplying them with a tough, durable, yet easily worked, timber; particularly adapted to stand the effects of water. Besides being used for house-build-ing, railway ties, posts, &c., it is in good demand for turnery and machinery, Goa cedar or oupressus lusitanioa—Another handsome tree of great value. The compact habit, distinct color of the foliage and drooping branchlets, make it a favorite with everyone, and, being a free and rapid grower, should never be omitted from the list of the planter. The timber is of first-rate quality, and possesses the rare point of soon arriving | at maturity. Thujopsisdolabarata—One of themostornamental trees nature has blessed us with. It is a rapid grower, keeps to a single leader, and produces a very hard but excellent timber.

Nepaul cypress or O.torulosa-A tree attaining to a height of 40ft. It is very ornamental, and in Northern India is used for the same variety of purpose* as the'timber of the Deodar a.

Juniperns Virginians or pencil cedar of America, is a tree worth planting extensively. It soon runs up, and produces the finest posts and rails that can be imagined 5 very ornamental, and has a nice effect when planted amongst other trees, on account of the peculiar dark gray foliage. Araucaria imbricata—A very conspicuous tree, of a stiff, erect habit, with circles of horizontal branches ; produces a durable and excellent timber.

Araucaria brasiliensis—Similar to the pro ceding in habit, only a little more pondulant in its branches ; it is, however, of a more rapid growth, and produces a closer grained timber. These two trees should always be planted in a mixed block of trees, as they break the great similarity existing between other trees, and hence add greatly to the scene of beauty, for which we have been endeavoring to select a list. Many more ornamental and highly useful trees could be enumerated, for the express purpose of forming an imposing group of timber-producing trees; but the above list will be found quite sufficient for the foundation of such a group, especially if a few tulip tree* are mixed with the central ones and box trees and hollies with the outer trees. It must not be thought that these groups of trees are merely hypothetical, and that they have never been successfully established ; many such are now in existence, and in looking back upon past scenes, the most vivid of them all is an oval-shaped enclosure of stately conifer® (intermixed with other

timber treei) representations of all the temperate countries in the world. In a country like this, with a climate comparatively mild, the choicest and most useful of trees flourish, and when those trees can bo supplied at a fair rate, there should be no lack of interest in planting and rearing groups of trees, which would dispel the monotony now hanging over the treeless plains of Canterbury. Onais Mubd, Duncan and Son’s Exotic Nursery, Opawa.