186 



^uch II plant may possess fibrous roots, and spreading branches 

 (two of the protecting properties, whicli are generally con- 

 comitant,) yet it may be deficient in both bark and stem. 

 In like manner, it may have desirable stem and bark (two 

 properties likewise, which usually go together,) and yet fail 

 in branches and roots. 



It is a great error to imagine, with the early planters, and 

 as is still done by many, that the business of preparation 

 applies solely to roots. As well might it be imagined, that 

 the roots carry up the sap to the top ; that they elaborate it 

 in the leaves ; that they transmit it to the stem and branches ; 

 and, in a woid, that this single organ performs all the various 

 functions whicli exist in a complicated system. When the 

 ingenious Lord Fitzharding,aswe learnfrom Evelyn, thought 

 of cutting round the roots of trees, in order to multiply their 

 lateral fibres, it cannot be deemed surprising, that he should 

 have been unaware how small a part of the work of prepa- 

 ration he had effected by that invention. But it is much 

 more extraordinary, that, during the many years that my 

 practice has been open to general inspection, it should never 

 occur to any one, that its success did not depend merely on 

 the roots, but must be governed by some general and fixed 

 principles : for, to this day, when the roots of trees are cut 

 round, as is often done, they are said to be "fully jjiepared 

 according to my method ;" while the planter, who so prepares 

 them, does not suspect, that he is merely fulfilling one of 

 frmr conditions, which arc pointed out by that method. But 

 perhaps it w^as not supposed that a process, seemingly so 

 simple as transplanting appeared to be, in the hands of my 

 workmen, required any |)rinciple at all to regulate it. 



it has been stated in a foregoing Section, that the perfect 

 and internal development of woody plants is dependent on 

 certain external conditions ; and thai, when those conditions 

 arc imperfectly supplied, this development cannot lake place. 

 It has been turther observed, that the most perfect develop- 



