95 



But, say the planters, who advocate the mutilating sys- 

 tem, since the roots are severely curtailed by the operation of 

 taking up, the branches must necessarily be curtailed in pro- 

 portion, and suited to the ability of the roots, whose province 

 it is to sustain the branches. If, hov^^ever, there be any truth 

 in the foregoing statement, and that it be reciprocally the 

 province of the branches also to nourish the roots, that argu- 

 ment, how specious soever, must fall to the ground ; for it is 

 obviously calculated to make bad worse, by subjecting the 

 tree to two evils instead of one, to which it must at all events 

 be subjected. Besides, these reasoners are well aware, that, 

 if they abstained from the lopping of the top and branches, 

 and left them entire, the greater part would decay during the 

 first season, for want of nourishment, to the utter discredit of 

 their system. The objection of Miller, therefore, is perfectlj 

 unanswerable. It would be quite superfluous to add any fur- 

 ther illustrations, however conclusive, drawn from the consti- 

 tution or anatomy of plants, as these will more properly be 

 brought forward in the sequel. 



His second objection is, that, if trees be removed with large 

 heads, it is next to impossible to maintain them against the 

 violence of the wind, in an upright position, with the aid of 

 supports or fastenings of whatever species. To this it may 

 be answered, that almost all trees with large heads, have short 

 and stout stems, with correlative roots ; and at all events, that, 

 by art skilfully employed, roots may be increased to the ability 

 of the tops, and almost incredibly multipUed, if time be given 

 for nature to second the efforts of art. Besides the nourish- 

 ment, which is prepared by the leaves, sent down to the stem 

 and ultimately, by means of the branches, to such extensive 

 roots, the branches and stem together serve to balance the 

 tree properly against the wdnds ; so that, when due precau- 

 tions are used, an extensive top is an aid rather than an im- 

 pediment to the progress of trees, and may be rendered ad- 

 vantageous, by a skilful planter. 



