MR. MAINS VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY. 



Fig. 56. 



413 



Section of a fir tree which has never been pruned, supposed to be cut through opposite 

 branches. 



" In fact, fine grained deal cannot be produced unless the trees are planted, or 

 chance to stand so closely together as to prevent all extension of branches. All 

 sorts of the pine tribe intended for profit should be planted to grow up, and, like a 

 field of corn, be all cut down together. Such plantations do not admit of being 

 gradually drawn, except when very young. They may be called, on this account, 

 social trees ; for as soon as the unity of the congregation is broken, the exposed 

 trees, for want of their wonted protection, not only cease to thrive, but many die. 

 Firs planted for ornament should stand at forty or fifty feet distances ; otherwise 

 they cannot show the grandeur of their forms. The pruner must not touch them ; 

 his interference only tends to make them the most ugly objects in the vegetable 

 kingdom. Planted as nurses in young woods of deciduous trees, they are kept 

 within due bounds by a very simple method of pruning, recommended by Mr. 

 Billington, viz. by pinching off from time to time the leading buds of the branches. 

 This induces a spray-covered, rather than a naked stem ; and prevents the 

 encroachment of the branches, without destroying their character as nurses. By 

 the same means, fir tree may be formed into impervious screens, or sheltering 

 hedge-like boundaries ; very useful in many cases of rural improvement. 



" Ash timber is produced of superior quality by being grown in close order; its 

 toughness and clearness of grain make it enviable material for the coach maker. 

 Straight, smooth sticks of ash, fifty feet in length, and from eight to twelve inches 

 diameter, are highly prized by all machine makers. Whether for timber or under- 

 wood this tree should always be grown in plantations by itself; not only because 

 of its greater rapidity of growth, but because it is a most noxious tree in hedge 

 rows, or as standing single in corn fields or meadows. 



" Oak and elm are best suited for hedge rows. It is incredible how much elm 

 timber can be raised in hedge order. And as the superiors are cut down, a con- 

 stant succession of young stems are rising from the old roots. No tree bears 

 pruning so well as the elm. So severely is this executed in Middlesex and 

 elsewhere, that a very small branch only is left at the top every time the tree is 

 shredded. This property of being unhurt by wholesale pruning, is owing to the 

 vivency of the tree which, being every where studded with latent buds, throws out 

 a numerous spray over all the stem ; and, though unequal to increase the diameter 



