OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 29 



gum as a maple. This I hope to make plain 

 to the reader as we proceed. 



8. In choosing trees, prefer those raised 

 in a nursery to those growing naturally in 

 the woods. Most persons are aware of the 

 difficulty of getting the latter to do well. A 

 glance at the nature of roots will teach us 

 the reason. There are two sets of roots to 

 most trees, perhaps to all. One consists of 

 fibres, the sole office of which is to draw mat 

 ter from the soil for the use of the tree ; the 

 other of true roots, which extend and keep 

 the tree in its position, affording at the same 

 time channels for the conveyance of the 

 matter absorbed by the fibres. This distinc 

 tion must be well noted. Fibres, as I have 

 repeatedly proved, are annual, dying out 

 after a season s service. ISfew fibres make 

 their appearance as the extending roots 

 grow; and are, consequently, farther away 

 from the collar of the tree in proportion to 

 its age. 



9. The roots of trees have their peculiari 

 ties of divarication as well as the branches. 

 Some trees grow erect, or horizontal, making 

 few side shoots, and looking always sparse 



