PLANTING OF POLLARDS. 35 



planted entire as to the branches, but mangled as 

 to the roots. In the thicket of a young plantation, 

 it is impossible to accomplish the lifting without 

 considerable laceration; and if that could be avoided, 

 it would still, in many situations, be impracticable 

 to replace a sufficient compass of root in the ground. 

 If the roots then must be curtailed so must the 

 branches. Every thing as to the leaves being lungs 

 is well enough understood; but, notwithstanding, 

 the head must be taken off, though the leaves be 

 consequently few; for as the principal nourishment 

 comes from the smallest and remotest fibres of the 

 roots, and as these are mostly severed, it follows 

 that the top branches and the fact is seen in every 

 case being unmoistened from beneath, get so dry 

 and indurated in the heat of summer, that they never 

 afterwards serve well for the circulation of the sap; 

 whereas the head being diminished, and little more 

 than the trunk, which does not so readily part with 

 its moisture, being suffered to remain, new shoots 

 are formed, which, growing in proportion to the 

 nourishment supplied, have no unhealthiness, and 

 cause no future obstruction, but serve in all time 

 coming as open tubes for conveying the sap to suc- 

 ceeding ramifications. 



The best age for pollarding may be from ten to 

 fifteen years; but as size, which depends on soil and 

 shelter as well as time, must also be consulted, the 

 best rule is to choose the healthiest tree, of a stem 

 two, three, or four inches diameter. The ball or 

 circle of roots, should measure at least one vard 



