NOTES ON THE GROWTH OF TREES. 43 



now Stands, or in the rear of there, and a hogyard in con- 

 nection therewith, the ehn tree which stood opposite that 

 spot in the common sent its long, drooping, thrifty 

 branches over in that direction, growing faster than any 

 other part of the tree, notwithstanding they were sent out 

 away from the sunlight. 



At the same time another tree in the same row, stand- 

 ing near the head of the pond at the east end of the Com- 

 mon, where its roots found the muddy water, grew as much 

 out of proportion on the side next to the pond. 



An elm standing just outside the lot which I use for a 

 flower garden, and which was surrounded by comparative- 

 ly barren and wholly uncultivated soil when I began there, 

 has found the fertility in my garden, and the branches on 

 that side have grown much more than on any other part 

 of the tree. 



A white ash, standing in the road several feet from the 

 wall and near a neglected field, felt the influence when the 

 field was plowed and manured ; the branches grew longer, 

 and even the trunk, on the side fed b}' those roots, grew 

 faster, until the tree, instead of remaining round, assumed 

 an egg shape, the point being toward the field. This 

 change in form was the result of more rapid growth and 

 thicker annual rings, as I proved by cutting the tree for 

 use and examining it. 



All these cases show that it is not necessary to put the 

 plant food at the base of a tree trunk. The fine roots are 

 the foragers, and anything in their range will not only be 

 appropriated, but will be credited to their special account 

 in the growth of the tree. 



