160 THE PRACTICAL PLANTER. 



vent blemishes in the trunk, whether out- 

 ward scars or inward shakes. 



For this purpose* the tree should, as much 

 as possible, be kept in a conical shape. 

 The head should be kept light by short- 

 ening, not entirely removing the strong 

 boughs ; the stem strengthened by the re- 

 tention of all healthy branches which have 

 been shortened, that the sap be detained, 

 and may circulate more freely. Thus, we 

 may put it out of the buyer's power to say, 

 " this has been a top-heavy tree, 'tis all 

 shaken ; I cannot afford so much for it," &c. 



3rf/y. THE BEECH will in no case admit 

 of being trained otherwise than upright ; 

 nor is there a valuable purpose to which its 

 timber can be applied, where it is not re- 

 quired to be straight: and it is a happy 

 circumstance, that it admits of being trained 

 in this position with great facility. In the 

 character of ship-timber, it is required of vast 

 length, exceedingly straight, and free from 

 any kind of blemish. 



4thly. THE ASH, BIRCH, SYCAMORE, &c. 

 From what has already been advanced, it 



