139 



most prominent and characteristic features of the species, 

 which mainly reside in tlie top, have disappeared also by the 

 same process : For even when such trees do succeed, 

 and acquire the formal and bush-like head, common to all 

 that are removed after the Mutilating method, "It is sel- 

 dom," as Pontey observes, " that they harmonize with any 

 thing about them."* On comparing them with plants raised 

 from the nursery, of the seed, we perceive but a small saving 

 of time in favour of this system : Yet it is time saved with 

 the infliction of such evils, and the sacrifice of such advan- 

 tages, as to render it any thing but desirable to the planter 

 of taste. 



On the other hand, we will suppose the same planter to 

 transfer a tree of similar description and dimensions, to a situ- 

 ation of similar exposure, but according to the Preservative 

 method. This tree, being a subject of uncommon beauty, 

 as above described, and having a head of more than five- 

 and-twenty feet broad, strong roots of fourteen and fifteen 

 feet of a side (instead of seven), are taken up with it, to- 

 gether with abundance of the minutest fibres, after a pecu- 

 liar method, to be explained in the sequel. Instead of lop- 

 ping and defacing the top and side-branches, the whole are 

 left untouched, and their fine symmetry is preserved entire. 

 Transportation of the tree to its destined site then follows : 

 where, after being replanted according to a peculiar method 

 also, productive of stability in an extraordinary degree, it is 

 found capable of resisting the wind, on the simplest princi- 

 ples, namely, the acquired steadfastness of the stem, and the 

 length and distribution of the roots, added to the balance of 

 an extensive top, from whatever quarter it may blow. 



During the first spring, when the sap begins to flow 

 abundantly upwards, if no severe frosts supervene, to cut 

 down the slender spray of the top, not a branch or a twig is 



* Rural Improver, p. 87. 



