THE FAILURE OF ORCHARDS, AND ITS REMEDY. 211 



of the spring, the glowing sunlight, the refreshing showers 

 of summer, the pelting storms and intense cold of winter, 

 all exert more or less influence on the vitality of a fruit- 

 tree. There is more or less circulation of the vital fluid 

 through the roots, stem, and branches, at all seasons of the 

 year. Although the circulation may be feeble during the 

 reign of stern winter, when the whole vegetable kingdom 

 is bound in icy fetters, still there is a living, breathing, ac- 

 tive vitality in every branch, twig, and bud. 



Any one who has access to a growing tree may satisfy 

 himself that this suggestion is not based on some ground- 

 less theory. By severing a live limb from the parent stem, 

 covering the end with wax, and securing the amputated 

 branch in the tree-top, where it will be exposed to the same 

 influences of alternate heat and cold, it will be seen, after a 

 few weeks have passed, that the severed branch is drying 

 up. This fact assures us that there is a constant transpira- 

 tion through the bark and buds. Consequently, if the 

 branches and buds do not receive a supply from the roots, 

 the last drops of moisture will be taken out of the green 

 bark by the piercing and drying winter winds. We all 

 understand how rapidly the cold and driving winds of win- 

 ter will suck out and convey away the last atom of moist- 

 ure in a wet board or a wet garment. When " Old Boreas " 

 has drawn his big fiddle-strings up to concert pitch, so that 

 swaying forests keep time with his music, which makes the 

 vast plains roar, and hill and valley echo with the sound of 

 a tempest, the searching, driving, and drying wind will 

 have the moisture of the trees, if to use the emphatic 

 phrase of a boorish rough the last drop "must be taken 

 out of the hide." Hence, if the ground be frozen up solid, 

 as far down as the roots extend, every mouth must be 

 stopped ; and, consequently, the supply of moisture for the 

 buds and twigs will be cut off. Then, if cold and drying 



