PHENOMENA OF PLANT-LIFE. 35 



ing a longitudinal section through the girdled part. The limb 

 was nearly horizontal, and the ring of bark removed was only 

 a few inches from the trunk. New layers had formed each 

 year up to the denuded place, but the enlargement was more 

 above this than below it. The material to form new wood 

 and bark below came from the other parts of the tree, and 

 yet, owing apparently to the poor circulation, was deficient 

 in quantity. The crude sap with some materials from other 

 portions of the tree ascended to the buds and leaves, and so 

 an unhealthy growth was continued. An examination of the 

 figure representing a section of this branch will explain the 

 cause of its final failure. The wood through which the sap 

 must ascend was gradually dying, and thus the channel of 

 communication was constantly becoming more and more ob- 

 structed. On the whole, this method of treating orchards 

 cannot be recommended for general use. (Fig. 28.) 



In regard to the length of time during which a perfectly 

 girdled tree may continue to live, we have obtained some 

 facts worth recording. 



In India, it is necessary to girdle the teak trees the year 

 before cutting them, in order to have them die and lose a 

 portion of their sap by evaporation, since otherwise the logs 

 will not float down the rivers to market. Removing a ring 

 of bark is not sufficient to accomplish this result, and it is 

 necessary to cut through all the sap-wood so as to prevent 

 the ascent of water to the leaves. 



Mr. W. F. Flint has communicated an interesting account 

 of a beech tree about eighteen inches in diameter, which 

 grew in an open pasture in Richmond, New Hampshire. It 

 was girdled for the express purpose of killing it, in 1866, by 

 chopping a gash two or three inches wide and nearly as deep 

 entirely around the trunk near the ground. The next year 

 it sent up sprouts from below the girdle and formed a new 

 layer over its entire surface. This was repeated in 1867, but 

 in 1868 the bark and sprouts of the lower part died, and dead 

 branches began to appear in the top. This process of decline 

 continued, and in 1873 but one of the large branches put 

 forth its leaves; and, finally, on the ninth year (1874) it 

 died utterly. This remarkable tenacity of life is doubtless 

 due to the close, fine texture of the timber, and the fact that 



