130 



to afi unequal distribution, only, occasion-^ 

 ed by the bad form of the trees. It is 

 no matter how handsome such may be, 

 according to current opinion ; the form 

 is bad which has a tendency to shorten 

 the life of the plant. When we see the 

 lower branches of a tree growing freely, 

 it is obvious the disorder does not lie in 

 the root; and, therefore, it must be sought 

 somewhere upon the stem, and a remedy 

 applied accordingly. 



That dead-topped oaks are very com- 

 mon, cannot be disputed, but certainly 

 most so in w^oods where the soil is some- 

 Avhat unfavourable to the article. There, 

 one Avould suppose, the assistance of art 

 or manao-eraent would be called in to 

 atone, as far as practicable, for the de- 

 fects of nature ; but is that the case ? 

 Most certainly not : for the woodman's 

 system never bends to circumstances ; 

 and, therefore, the produce of every soil 



