231 



lee-sidc, and shorlcr and closer brandies and spray on that, 

 from wliich tlic blast assails tlicni. 



By the law of nature we find, that wiiercver the action of 

 the air is the greatest, there the greatest evolution of buda 

 appears, and the thickest, but weakest growth of boughs 

 and spray takes place. And this dilTcrence is so remarkable, 

 that any one conversant with wood, can at once point out 

 an old tree (especially a sycamore,) that has been more, and 

 one that has been less exposed, at the distance of two or 

 three hundred yards ; and in winter, when there is no foliage 

 to conceal the difierence in the ramification, the thing is the 

 most striking. Hence the effect produced on trees, by bring- 

 ing this decided tendency to elongation of the boughs on 

 the lee-side, to act on the windward or deficient side. In 

 fact, it is almost the only way, in which art can bring about 

 any remarkable improvement on the symmetry and beauty 

 of the tops of woody plants. It is true, the practice might 

 at first sight appear rather a misdirection of the protecting 

 properties : but experience has shown, that nature in this, 

 as in the case of judicious pruning, or retrenchment of super- 

 fluous branches, bears with extraordinary patience such dis- 

 creet control exerted over her exuberant powers, and in their 

 subsequent development displays a vigour, even superior to 

 what is observed in subjects which have not been so disci- 

 plined. — I believe, as already noticed, that I am the first 

 planter, who, more than five-and thirty years since, thought 

 of turning this natural deformity to purposes of beauty or 

 utility, in the face of prejudices both ancient and modern.* 



The director having thus ascertained, that the mark made 

 on the stem is uppermost (which it will always be, when not 

 prevented by other circumstances,) he directs the driver to 

 make such a circuit, as to go right in towards the southeast 

 side of the pit ; by which means, as the intelligent reader 



* See Sect. IV., and Note. 



