104 THE NATURE AND PRACTICE 



tions. But under good management in pruning, this 

 depriving of a tree of its due means of nourishment 

 is only of a temporary nature ; and in one or two 

 years after the operation has been done, and when 

 the tree operated upon has had its growth pro- 

 perly directed, the increase of timber is at once 

 remarkable, as compared with others of the like 

 nature and age which had not been pruned, 

 or with others Avhich had been unscientifically 

 managed. 



When a large branch is cut off immediately from 

 the body or trunk of a large tree, the usual sap 

 which supplied it in its ascent from the roots, will 

 be stopped short, and for a time will ooze out at the 

 cut part ; but shortly, the sap as it rises in those 

 vessels of the trunk which formerly supplied the 

 branch taken off, becomes stagnated, and causes rot 

 in that part, which can never be the case while the 

 branch remains to draw up and prepare the sap in 

 its leaves ; and this is the case in all instances of 

 large branches, as they are cut from large trees. 

 But in the case of a branch being thus cut from a 

 young sapling in a rapidly growing state, the tree 

 is not injured, but improved ; the sap of the plant 

 being in such a vigorous state, that rot cannot take 

 place. Now, the practical deduction to be drawn 

 from this is, that the amputation of a large branch 

 immediately from the body of a large tree, instead 

 of being favourable to its health and value as timber. 



