54 



which we choose to call unnatural; be* 

 cause they are the effect of mismanage- 

 ment. These will also be noticed in their 

 proper place. 



To prove that knottiness, or superflu- 

 ous branches, retard the growth of tim- 

 ber, we may suppose a tree, with a con- 

 siderable number of large branches, such 

 as fig. 1, and contrast it with fig. 2, on 

 plate II. — Taking it for granted, circum- 

 stances are equal, so far as soil, age, and 

 situation are concerned ; let us consider 

 how much larger a quantity of leaves, 

 and small wood, the one has to support 

 than the other. — A moderate portion of 

 both is necessary to the free growth of 

 every tree ; but we think it will be admit- 

 ted, that such a figure as the latter would 

 be deficient in neither; and, if so, then 

 all that the former has to suj^port be- 

 yond that quantity, is as so much sap 

 deducted from what ought to go to the 

 support, or rather the increase of 



