264 On the Pla7iting of Forest-Trees. 



of inferior quality, and that by a comparatively trifling outlay, 

 while it affords a source of the most agreeable and rational amuse- 

 ment to the active and enterprising proprietor, which, if pursued 

 only up to the limit of absolute utility and profit, would render 

 many a wild and useless waste, not only a scene of industry and a 

 source of wealth, but also an object of pleasure and admiration. 



I propose to treat, in as concise a manner as is consistent with 

 clearness, 1st. The physiology, or the structure and manner of 

 the growth of trees. 2nd. The leading character of each indi- 

 vidual kind usually cultivated, and the soil to which it is best 

 adapted, 3rd. The formation and management of nurseries of 

 forest-trees. 4th. The different modes of planting according to 

 the nature and situation of the land. 5th. The management of 

 trees and of woods and of plantations by thinning and pruning. 



A tree may be considered as an assemblage or system of curious 

 organs, destined to support its life, enlarge its dimensions, and 

 continue its species. Some knowledge of these organs and the 

 functions they perform is quite indispensable to those who under- 

 take the management of growing timber ; for it is owing to igno- 

 rance of this subject, that we everywhere witness woods and 

 plantations, as well as hedge-row timber, rendered almost worthless 

 from deplorable neglect, or suffering under the most injurious 

 treatment, which it is impossible to attribute to any other cause. 

 So general, indeed, is this evil, that a few hours' ride, with this 

 object in view, in almost any part of England, fills the mind of 

 the observant traveller with astonishment and regret at the im- 

 mense loss thus incurred both by individuals and the public. 



The organs of a tree present themselves under five distinct 

 arrangements or divisions: the root, the stem, the bark, the leaves, 

 and the blossom. The root divides into numerous branches^ and 

 these again into almost innumerable filaments or fibres ; these 

 consist of cells, and sap and air vessels or tubes, and at the termi- 

 nation of these tubes, in the extremities of the fibres, they present 

 very numerous and minute pores or mouths, collectively called 

 spongioles. The stem or trunk may be considered as a compact 

 union, above ground, of the same system of cells and air-vessels, 

 which ascend to the extremities of the branches, and diffuse them- 

 selves through every portion of the leaves. In the leaves other 

 tubes or vessels originate, unite in the foot-stalk, invest the twig 

 forming the bark of the tree, and thus descend to the extremities 

 of the roots. Thus is there a continuous connexion of the same 

 or a similar system of cells, and sap and air tubes, extending from 

 the extremities of the rootlets or fibres to the leaves, and recipro- 

 cally descending again to the roots. When a tree is cut trans- 

 versely, the bark and the wood exhibit the following appear- 

 ance ; — Beneath the rough external coating w hich consists of old 



