SCROFULOUS TREES. 37 



producing imperfect succulent growth, and from constant re- 

 propagation from trees that have in a greater or less degree 

 so suffered the trees of the variety have very generally lost 

 their natural, strong, active, resisting, and recuperative vital 

 energy, and have a general tendency to disease, which will be 

 developed in different forms according to circumstances. A 

 wound upon a scrofulous subject is more difficult to heal ; ex 

 ertion produces more fatigue, and rest brings less return of 

 strength. Food, which in its natural state would be most 

 nourishing and healthful, it can no longer digest, and it does 

 it more harm than good ; exposure to cold, to malaria, or 

 contagion, is more dangerous, and if it escapes all acute disease 

 it gradually grows more and more feeble^ until finally it has 

 &quot; died of a decline.&quot; 



Sterility attends the decrepitude of age, but not the scrof 

 ulous debility in man, neither does it the degeneracy of the 

 old trees. But the scrofulous habit is hereditary in man ; so 

 it is believed to be in the old varieties. If, however, the 

 scrofulous inheritance is not very virulent, by a judicious 

 course of regimen it may be gradually overcome, and a strong 

 vigorous constitution once more re-established. So it is 

 argued, and facts are cited that seem to sustain the position, 

 may the old varieties be restored to their pristine excellence, 

 by care to select scions from the most healthy trees, and 

 from the most vigorous parts of them, and to propagate these 

 under the most favourable circumstance for their healthy 

 growth. 



The predisposition to disease in these ill-treated trees may 

 result in a contagious malady, and this may spread beyond 

 them and attack trees of ordinarily good constitution, and 

 in the most salubrious situations, though, of course, the 

 liability of these to take the malady, and their recupera 

 tive power under its attack, will be proportionate to their 



