ON FOREST TREES, ORCHARD TREES, &C. 19 



Ibrests absolutely changed so fast, that we could ])oiccivc its pro- 

 gress. By the middle of the afternoon the whole of these exten- 

 sive forests, many miles in length, presented their usual green sum- 

 mer dress. 



Direction of ihc branches of trees. — A tree shoots out its branch- 

 es like all other trees of the same species, external circumstances 

 being similar. But there is one remarkable fact in the direction 

 of branches, which 1 have not seen noticed in any publication. 



All trees with spreading branches, accommodate the direction of 

 tiic lower branches to the surface of the earth over which they extend* 

 This may be seen in orchards growing on the sides of hills, and in 

 all open forests. But the crowded situation of the wild woods of 

 our country, prevents a suflicient extension of branches to exhibit 

 this character. 



This fict presents a curious subject for the investigation of the 

 phytologist. The question presented is this : What influence can 

 the earth have upon the branches on the upper side of the tree, 

 which causes them to form a different angle with the body of the 

 tree from the angle formed by the branches on the lower side, so 

 that all the branches hold a parallel direction to the earth's surface ? 



Hollow Trees. — The grozcth of trees is not vifnenccd by any cir- 

 cumstance connected zvith their internal woody parts. 



Mr. Knight's central vessel hypothesis, and the authority of nu- 

 merous able physiologists, seem to be at variance with this posi- 

 tion. 1 shall not enter upon a discussion of the subject, but mere- 

 ly introduce a few facts. 



The sugar maple, (acer saccharinnm,) after being tapped and 

 drained of its internal sap fifty years, and after the w hole interior 

 has become dead, grows as fast and presents an aspect as vigorous 

 and blooming, as any sound tree of the same species and same age, 

 which stands by its side. For the truth of this fact, I refer to all 

 manufacturers of the maple sugar. 1 suggested this opinion more 

 than twenty years ago, and frequently afterwards, when I was em- 

 ployed among the tenants of Messrs. Livingston, McEvers, Lud- 

 low, Cutting, and others, between the spurs of Catskill mountain. 

 Every manufacturer with whom I conversed, in this native resi- 

 dence of the sugar maple, confirmed my 0})inion. 



The common apple tree (pyrus mains) grows thriftily and bears 

 abundance of fruit, many years after its interior is so completely 

 rotied away, as to leave but a very thin hollosv cylinder in posses- 

 sion of the living principle. 



We i)refer solid trees in our forests and orchards ; because they 

 have more strength to withstand the force of winds, and because 

 the unfavorable circumstance, which caused the interior to decay, 

 may effect the total destruction of the tree. But as all depositions 

 of matter, in any way affecting the growth of the tree, al^e made 

 between the ba;k and wood, after the first year, in the form of a 

 mucilage, called cambium, it seems that the internal woody part 

 has no infiueace upon the external growth. 



Yours, res])cc{ful!y, Amos Eaton. 



r»Si7/f?;trr?(',v Journal. 



