48 On the Pruning of Forest Trees, 



Art. XII. Physiological and Practical Remarhs on the pruning 

 of Forest Trees, particnlarli/ of the Scotch Pine. By Mr. W. 

 Taylou. 



Sir, 

 From what you have published (Vol. VIII. p. 303.) as the 

 forerunner of Mr. Main's book on forest trees, there is reason 

 to anticipate that it will be a valuable work, as he is a man 

 of science and practical experience. Such a book is much 

 wanted ; and it is to be wished that it may treat of soils and 

 subsoils scientifically, as well as of trees. I have just read an 

 article in Chambers' Edinburgh Journal on trees, wherein we 

 are told that no science was known or applied in arboricul- 

 ture until 1828, when Sir H. Steuart published his Planter's 

 Guide. It also advises landowners to form an arboricultural 

 society ; and adds, " Were phytological science to become a 

 favourite study with them, then, of course, gardeners and 



nurserymen would acquire it Before many years pass 



over us, we are confident that a revolution must take place in 

 our arboricultural skill and science, as complete as in political. 

 The future, compared v^/ith the present race of our planters, 

 will then be like that of mariners who have long been at sea 

 without a compass ; or like men working in the dark, when 

 the light of the sun was let in upon their labours ! " Mark 

 this, ye, my brethren of the old school, who still maintain that 

 practice is every thing ; and who will not go beyond, nor alter 

 from, the system you were taught. Yes ; all in the dark, not 

 one redeeming man among us. Much has been discovered by 

 men of learning and science, which could not have been ac- 

 complished by practical men, from their want of education ; 

 but, more so, from want of means and time to try expe- 

 riments. Well : but do men of science see clearly through 

 all nature's laws? It seems not. At any rate, they differ in 

 opinion, for instance, on the cause of the ascent of the sap ; 

 and whether or not fruit trees can be perpetuated by graftings. 

 But the great light is soon to be let in upon us, when our 

 great men, in imitation of Peter the Great, learn the arts, 

 trades, &c. ; turn their old swords " into pruning-hooks, and 

 learn the art of war no more." Establish a horticultural 

 society in all its branches (pity it was not d^ne fifty years ago), 

 at which all must pass before they can obtain situations as 

 kitchen-gardeners, foresters, or flower-gardeners. Therefore 

 it is time for those who do not think themselves already fully 

 qualified, to begin to get their catechisms ; for, if we are not 

 able to pass the " Hail," we shall be turned to making roads 

 in forests, and transplanting large trees. This will be no joke. 



