133 



which they grow, even although its suiface s-houkl be llie 

 sloping side of a hill ; ow ing, as is supposed by phytologists, 

 to the evolution of a greater number of buds on the side 

 that forms the obtuse angle with the surface, in consequence 

 of its being exposed to the action of a greater mass of aii.* 

 From this statement, however, it will be preceived, that the 

 most exposed tree is, generally speaking, the most pictur- 

 esque and beautiful. 



To the inexperienced planter it may seem paradoxical to 

 assert, that the largest-headed tree, if well balanced, is the 

 best calculated, on removal, to resist the winds. But the as- 

 sertion is nevertheless true, if the foregoing facts be correctly 

 given : because, as the roots are always correlative to the 

 branches, it will be found, that the smallest-headed tree is 

 the least able to support itself, in an open situation. It is to 

 trees only with insignificant heads, and sparingly furnished 

 with lateral branches, although they expose a much less sur- 

 face to the wind, that props or supports are at all necessar}-, 

 after being properly transplanted ; and it matters little, 

 whether these defects have been produced by ignorance and 

 the axe, or by undue confinement. From all which facts 

 and observations it is apparent, that branches, being organs 

 to a certain extent necessary to the existence and health of 

 all trees, are indispensable in a peculiar degree to such as arc 

 intended for removal. If the roots, in their capacity of ab- 

 sorbents, collect and send up a supply of food to the plant ; 

 the leaves, which are a constituent part of the branches, in 

 their capacity of exhalents, perform a function at least as 

 important, by preparing and rendering that food fit for nutri 

 tion ; while the branches act as the main channels, in dis- 

 tributing it to every part of the plant. Other things, there- 

 fore, being equal, it may be held as an axiom in practice. 



* Physiolog. Bot. Vol. II. p. 256. — La Nature Devoilee, Dial. XTV. 

 — See Note VI. 



