ABOUT FEUITS, FLOWERS AND FAEMING. 345 



which such trees defer the bearing of fruit), and the tissues 

 formed by it are correspondingly imperfect in wholesome- 

 ness, compactness, and solidity of parts. The tree is bloated 

 — is dropsical. 



On gravelly soils, or loams with a gravelly subsoil, or on 

 any kind of soil, which gives a slow and thorough growth 

 the wood is fine, close and perfect; the vessels are not 

 expanded, their sides are firmer, less sensitive to sudden 

 changes of temperature, and when exposed to them better 

 able to resist them. 



Whatever soil produces rank or coarse wood, a flabby 

 tissue will be subject to blights. Whatever soil induces 

 a fine-grained, compact fibre, and vigorous tissue, will be 

 fi-ee from blight. The same is true of the various methods 

 of ciiltivution ; those who drive their trees, who aim chiefly 

 at a rapid and strong growth, will give their trees a con- 

 dition requisite for blight. Those who pursue a more cau- 

 tious, a slower method, and look to the quality rather than 

 the quantity of their wood, will be comparatively free 

 from blight. 



To be sure, there may be seasons so extreme that blight 

 will occur in the most healthy tree ; so disease will occur in 

 the most temperate men; yet temperance, conformity to 

 the laws of nature, is the rule of health, and nonconformity 

 the preparation for disease. 



Meanwhile, will those who are unfortunate enough to have 

 a good opportunity for observing, examine — 



1. The soil and subsoil of blighted trees? 



2. The habit of the tree, as to rankness of growth ? 



3. The character of the cultivation which has been em- 

 ployed ? 



4. In short, the relative condition of orchards and trees 

 which have escaped or been blighted, as to fineness and 

 closeness, and health of texture. It is high time that this 

 matter should be minutely investigated. It is the opprO' 

 brium cuUorum. 



15* 



