113 



We admit thatcaution, in adopting such 

 method, does its duty, as far as understood. 

 It is meant to prevent scars and hollowness. 

 The only question then will be, — Is the 

 cautious man's theory right? for, if so, 

 his practice would not be materially wtong. 

 To which we answer, certainly not. If 

 indeed such operator could insure every 

 stump he leaves to produce one or more 

 branches, then the method would have 

 less harm in it ; a little produce of timber, 

 and that little had, would be the worst of 

 it. But he can insure no such thing : 

 some stumps will not be productive, and 

 therefore they must die ;— when Kottenness 

 and HoUonness follow of course : — the 

 operator is the cause, these the effects. 



When a tolerably healthy tree is 50 

 iopped, nature may be observed to maka 

 an effort to cure the wound, as soon as 

 the sap begins to circulate ; and such 

 would always be successful, were no 

 stump left in the way to prevent it ; but, 



