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IVom tlie remoter to the more proximate axioms of the art. 

 In doing tliis, however, our consideration may be limited to 

 the vegetable kingdom. 



Nature, as has been observed, has destined trees to grow, 

 more or less vigorously, in all situations, from those of the 

 thinnest groups in the highest latitudes, to the densest masses, 

 and the most sheltered woods ; and for this purpose, she has 

 conferred provisions or properties upon each, which are 

 severally adapted to such circumstances. Now, as the busi- 

 ness of transplanting, generally speaking, implies increased 

 exposure, it is proper to inquire more minutely into these 

 provisions, so as to enable us to ascertain their peculiar ap- 

 pearance and character, and into the way, in which they 

 affect the growth of trees. 



With this view, it will serve little purpose to draw exam- 

 ples from ordinary plantations. Let us have recourse to 

 ancient forests and woodlands, or to parks long since planted, 

 in which the hand of man has either never interfered, or 

 where the vestiges of his interference have been long oblite- 

 rated. Here we shall find trees in every variety of situation, 

 but endued with properties of the most opposite sort. Yet 

 all grow with relative luxuriance, under the circumstances 

 in which they are placed. Of trees in the interior of woods, 

 setting aside all technical or phytological distinctions, the 

 following are found to be the general characteristics : Stems 

 upright and stately ; bark glossy and beautiful ; tops small, 

 and thinly provided with branches ; with roots, in the same 

 way, spare and scanty, but in due proportion to the tops. 

 In open exposures, on the other hand, the reverse of all this 

 is the case. The characteristics of these are the following : 

 Stems stout and short ; bark thick and coarse ; tops exten- 

 sive and spreading ; branches often reaching to the ground ; 

 with roots extensive like the tops, and throwing themselve-s 

 out on every side. What, then, are we to conclude from 

 these remarkable discrepancies between trees of the same 



