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found to decay. The sap ascends, by means of adequate 

 roots, in a sufficient quantity for the support of both, and for 

 enabling the leaves to perform their elaborating functions. 

 The leaves, therefore, though for obvious reasons of a lesser 

 size, and sometimes a lighter colour than usual, during the 

 first season, universally clothe every part. After the first, 

 or, at all events, after the second year, under common circum- 

 stances, the deep hue of health, and the fulness of leaf, 

 which the tree formerly displayed, again return ; and, while 

 its foliage glitters in the sunshine, or floats on the breeze, no 

 eye can distinguish whether it has been two years or forty 

 in its new situation. Picturesque effect or shelter, as the plan- 

 ter's object chances to be, is in this way obtained from the 

 first: But no planter of experience will expect shoots of 

 much consequence to appear, till the tree be established in 

 the ground. This, of course, requires four or five years, at 

 least in the climate of Scotland ; after which, it usually 

 shoots forth with vigour ; and, the longer it staiids, accord- 

 ing to the Preservative system, it will shoot with the greater 

 vigour, as the experience of more than thirty years has in- 

 contestably proved. By this statement, then, it appears, that 

 the system in question has, in this country, the power of sav- 

 ing, and in some sort of anticipating forty years of the life 

 of man ; a large portion, in any view, of that uncertain pos- 

 session : and thus, by following such a system, the Imme- 

 diate and Full Effect of Wood is at once procured at a mod- 

 erate expense, as shall be made apparent in the sequel. 



In this view of the two methods, I am not conscious to 

 myself of having exaggerated the evils, or concealed any of 

 the advantages, attendant on the Mutilating system ; at least, 

 if the opinions of Miller, Marshall, Pontey, and other skilful 

 planters and phytologists be well founded. Should any of 

 my readers conceive, that I have too highly coloured the 

 delineation of the Preservative, let them do me the honour 

 to visit this place, and judge for themselves. Which of the 



