30 FRUIT GARDEN COMPANION. 



formed." I think it is more proper to say, to 

 u as the roots are encouraged or inclined, so the 

 tree is formed." In planting young trees care should 

 be taken that the soil put about their roots is of a 

 free mellow nature that adheres to the fibres freely ; 

 but not in a clammy state like paste or mortar ; 

 which instead of giving a base for them to strike 

 into and retain the food and nutriment, chills them 

 into a torpid state, saturates the soil, and final- 

 ly rots the tender fibres, then the larger part, and 

 so on until the entire roots decay, and then the 

 tree. When trees are thus going into decay their 

 leaves turn yellow, are feeble, the wood slender 

 and soft and affected by almost every change of 

 weather when in a growing state. 



I must here caution the young planter against the 

 very improper manner of planting trees with any 

 parts of their roots injured, which rarely heal, but 

 often, mortify, mould and rot others to the great de- 

 triment of the tree. 



It is better at once to cut off any decayed part 

 cleanly, than to venture to put it into a soil and 

 situation where the eye has not the power to see the 

 injury the tree is sustaining from a decayed part, as 

 that of a branch. 



ART. 3. On the Leaf. 



The leaves of plants being the principal organs 

 of respiration, and contributing to their growth by 

 their power of absorption, are of the greatest impor- 

 tance in this operation. The surrounding air 

 whether internal or external being absorbed by their 

 agency, requires to be of a pure and wholesome na- 



