FUNCTION OP THE LEAVES. 7 



he carefully observes for himself. Before any final decision, 

 he should make a tour of the gardens in his neighborhood. 

 He should attentively note the varieties which flourish best in 

 the soil and aspect which correspond with those in his own 

 garden. The fruits most common in the neighboring markets 

 should also be considered, unless tliey are of an inferior de- 

 scription. These observations will not appear trivial to an 

 amateur. Every one has experienced the value of such 

 things who has commenced a career of horticulture. In 

 these cases a reference to the catalogue of a respectable nurs- 

 ery is invaluable, and may also be a great subject of amuse- 

 ment. 



One hint more. In selecting the trees, let no one be influ- 

 enced by the mere price, for it is of the greatest importance 

 to have well grown and healthy trees to begin your experi- 

 ments upon and to avoid discouragement in the outset. 



The selection then being made, the amateur should remem- 

 ber, that the natural tendency of the sap is to flow upwards 

 and towards the extremities of the branches, so that without 

 due care, especially at the commencement, the centre of the 

 tree, and the lowest branches (in the case of those on walls) 

 become less vigorously stimulated, and are thus dwarfed in 

 comparison with those higher up. This will cause an un- 

 equal distribution of fertility, and quickly destroy all the har- 

 mony and symmetry of the tree. The leaves, according to 

 their number and healthy state, draw up and attract the sap. 

 Therefore a branch, once enfeebled, has, by its very want of 

 power ^ an increased chance of decay. We must, therefore, 

 endeavor to avoid this feebleness. 



Again, by this irregular distribution of strength, the whole 

 tree is disturbed, and eventually ruined. For when in this 

 diseased condition it receives any shock, as by an attack of 

 blight (perhaps by two or three successive attacks) ; by injury 

 to its roots from any cause ; by any of its branches breaking 

 in a gale of wind ; the first irregularity of form becomes so 

 considerably augmented, that few trees are able to remedy 

 this defect by a spontaneous effort of nature, and the expecta- 

 tions of years become frustrated in a single season. 



