135 



formed iiaUnc in inorft instance:^, aiul leave lliosc picluietjciue 

 efl'ectt:, ^^•llicli disfiguicinent occasionally siipplic.-', to be pro- 

 duced by accident, rather than by intentional labour. 



In order to remedy the striking deformity in question, I 

 have in transplanting uniformly reversed the position of the 

 tree in its new situation. By that means, and in consequence 

 of greater warmth, the greater activity of vegetation is trans- 

 ferred to the deficient side, the equal balance of the tree is 

 gradually effected, and its beauty and symmetry are un- 

 speakably augmented. In exposed situations, there is no 

 other possible way of procuring a full and extensive ramifi- 

 cation, on the stormy side ; for wherever the action of the air 

 is the greatest, there the greatest evolution of buds, as above 

 stated, and the thickest growth of spray, will take place ; but 

 those growths, for the reasons already assigned, are shorter 

 and feebler, in proportion as they are more numerous. In so 

 far, then, the art of transplanting on fixed principles may be 

 said to substitute beauty for deformity, and fairly to cine one 

 of the most prominent defects, which, in a picturesque view, 

 park-trees in loose dispositions are apt to display, particularly 

 on our western coasts. Probably I am the first planter, who 

 ever thought of turning these properties of woody plants to 

 any practical or useful purpose.* 



In respect to the health and strength of the trees, I have 

 never found it to injure them, or in anywise to impede their 

 growth. As soon as the w^armer or more sheltered side be- 

 comes the colder or more exposed, according to the law of 

 nature, the respective parts soon accommodate themselves to 

 the circumstances in which they are placed. The free ex- 

 tension of branches, which, in the former position, had been 

 acquired by the sheltered side, loses none of its preeminence, 

 while the contracted growths on the opposite side as freely 

 expand. The health and progress of the tree sustain no 



* Note VII. 



i 



