PLANTING. 101 



afterwards, by the utmost efforts of human 

 art, be induced so immediately to seek pas- 

 turage for the sustenance of the trunk. 



It may be argued, that by lopping the 

 top, this difficulty is obviated. True, it is 

 so in a great measure. But is the tree not 

 hereby injured ? I answer yes, inasmuch as 

 all constraint is hurtful in a greater or less 

 degree ; that least wounding is most to be ad- 

 vised ; and that wounds sooner, and more 

 effectually heal in young than in old 

 plants. 



Moreover, are not the larger roots of old 

 plants which are wounded in the operation 

 of removing them, liable to canker, and even 

 induce the rot upwards, to the detriment of 

 the trunk, if, by chance, the tree be placed 

 in ungenial soil ? 



Could the hidden works of nature be fully 

 explored, it is more than probable we should 

 find, that hence proceeds, in a great mea- 

 sure, the frequently sudden decay of old 

 trees, and the languishing state of young 

 ones. But of this see more in Section X. 

 of this Chapter. 



I come now to the consideration of parti- 



