J3<? THE PRACTICAL PLANTEK. 



That these are solid arguments may be 

 questioned. No doubt, tapping is of infinite 

 advantage to all tap-rooted plants, previous 

 to removal ; since it causes them to put forth 

 fibres on the upper part of the root, which 

 they otherwise would not ; fitting them for 

 transplantation into shallow soil, and seeking 

 pasturage for the sustenance of the plant. 

 But, that the roots will, ever after, have a 

 horizontal tendency, I deny. Every plant, 

 unless constrained, will follow its natural iri^ 

 clinations. Nor can the art of man prevent 

 a downward tendency in the roots of the 

 oak, and at the same time allow it depth of 

 soil, 



A plentiful planting of nurses, in most 

 cases, is advisable in this climate ; but this 

 rarely prevents the necessity of heading 

 down planted Oaks, unless the soil be re- 

 markably good. For otherwise, the Oak is 

 a plant of slow growth, (more so when 

 planted than sown}, especially for the first 

 three or four years after planting. The 

 nurses grow apace, and if not removed, 

 choak them entirely, or draw them up so 

 weak and slender, that they will not become 



