16$ 



not fail to preserve ; and therefore, we 

 are warranted in asserting, that, under 

 such circumstances, the general weight 

 of the plant would increase much faster 

 than before. 



To support the above conclusions, we 

 may notice the gardener's old and stand- 

 ing maxim, as exactly in point : — " Cut 

 " wood and have wood,'' or " Cut wood, 

 " to have wood," — is an idea, the proprie- 

 ty of which no one ever pretended to dis- 

 pute ; though the reason of it has not 

 usually been inquired into. When trees 

 are weak, they prune them severely, to in- 

 crease their strength ; and when they are 

 the reverse, so as to be unfruitful, they 

 are extremely sparing in that operation ; 

 knowino; that otherwise an increased 

 quantity of w^ood would be the conse- 

 quence ; and serve to increase the evil. 

 Of course, we find the principle admitted, 

 both in the case of strong and weak trees. 

 It may indeed be considered as the polar 



4 



