133 



tainly, all above that quantity are of no 

 use to the plant, and of little value to its 

 owner ; and therefore, a large head is, on 

 that account, a considerable loss. 



The value of the tops, or branches of 

 trees, differ so much in various places, 

 as well as such tops themselves, that it 

 is impossible to fix upon a general rule, 

 by which to estimate their worth, in pro- 

 portion to the stems, with any degree of 

 accuracy ; but certainly, taking trees 

 as we find them, in one place with ano- 

 ther, it cannot offend probability to 

 suppose their value is not more than one 

 third ; and, therefore, if, as may be safe- 

 ly asserted, the tops are, upon the ave- 

 rage, twice as large as necessary, the loss 

 upon that account must almost exceed cal- 

 cidation. 



The next disadvantage attending this 

 sort of defect, is the damage such trees 

 do to every kind of produce, growing be^ 



