SCROFULOUS TREES. 231 



the variety have very generally lost their natural, strong, active, 

 resisting, and recuperative vital energy, and have a general ten- 

 dency to disease, which will be developed in different forms 

 according to circumstances. A wound upon a scrofulous subject 

 is more difficult to heal ; exertion produces more fatigue, and rest 

 brings less return of strength. Food, which in its natural state 

 would be most nourishing and healthful, it can no longer digest, 

 and it does it more harm than good ; exposure to cold, to malaria, 

 or contagion, is more dangerous, and if it escapes all acute dis- 

 ease, it gradually grows more and more feeble, until finally it has 

 " died of a decline." 



Sterility attends the decrepitude of age, but not the scrofulous 

 debility in man, neither does it the degeneracy of the old trees. 

 But the scrofulous habit is hereditary in man ; so it is believed 

 to be in the old varieties. If, however, the scrofulous inheritance 

 is not very virulent, by a judicious course of regimen it may be 

 gradually overcome, and a strong vigorous constitution once more 

 reestablished. So it is argued, and facts are cited that seem to 

 sustain the position, may the old varieties be restored to their 

 pristine excellence, by care to select scions from the most healthy 

 trees, and from the most vigorous parts of them, and to propagate 

 these under the most favorable circumstances for their healthy 

 growth. 



The predisposition to disease in these ill-treated trees may 

 result in a contagious malady, and this may spread beyond them 

 and attack trees of ordinarily good constitution, and in the most 

 salubrious situations, though, of course, the liability of these to 

 take the malady, and their recuperative power under its attack, 

 will be proportionate to their strength and soundness. The dis- 

 ease known as the yellows, in peach-trees, seems to be of this 

 nature. 



There are many facts unfavorable to both these theories, and 



