43 



and all the side branches of a tree but 

 one, which he converts into a leader, not 

 doubting that, in time, it will become a 

 capital bend, for the ribs of a ship. Thus, 

 in his rage for be?ids, he evidently sup- 

 poses that the course of nature will 

 bend to establish his theory : — but not 

 so, friend Nichol ; she will certainlv 

 keep her own track, which is, constant- 

 ly to bend her course towards the per- 

 pendicular; and, therefore, long before 

 a scantling would be produced large 

 enough for the purpose, the beiid would 

 disappear; except a small curve at the 

 base. 



His general method of pruning deci- 

 duous trees is equally iiezo and curious. 

 (It is just the reverse of Lawson's. He 

 directs us to cut off all the side branches ; 

 Nichol, none :) and only wants the trifling 

 epithet useful, to complete the climax. 

 The sum and substance of it, in his own 



