3 1 Root-Pruning and CanJcer in Fruit Trees. 



dency to disease would increase : and such is the fact ; to be 

 convinced of which, we need only look at the abortions that con- 

 fessedly degrade many of the finest portions of the walls of our 

 gardens. Trees so situated bear not the l'emotest claim to be 

 what the others are, natural objects ; they are the merest crea- 

 tures of art, every natural impulse fettered, their roots and 

 branches rendered beyond measure discrepant. 



One great use of roots to the object naturally situated is 

 to enable it to retain a perpendicular position in the soil, as may 

 be witnessed by the extraordinary efforts to do so, when circum- 

 stances of unusual peril demand it; which is also exemplified by 

 trees in exposed situations, where the roots preponderate over 

 the branches. Even single trees are isolated examples of the 

 same precaution, by sending a greater quantity of retainers to 

 windward. But the tree suspended by shreds against a wall 

 has no call for roots for such a purpose, nor can they be 

 exercised in such a manner: the hurricane that strains the roots 

 of the exposed standard almost to snapping, that even uproots 

 the gnarled denizen of the forest, affects not them ; they are 

 compelled root and branch to remain inert, instead of bending 

 before every blast : the leaves, it is true, may flutter in the breeze; 

 but even the slightest sprout must not attempt such a gambol, 

 without the certainty of being called to order by knocking its 

 head against its cast-iron keepers. 



To a tree trained to a wall or espalier, then, roots are less 

 essential than to an exposed one, as their services are confined 

 to supplying food ; therefore fewer would appear to be requisite, 

 and a tendency to over- root to exist. It will be seen, by referring 

 to exposed trees and sheltered ones, that in the general economy, 

 where nothing is unprovided for, this has in some measure been 

 provided for by the preponderance of roots in the former 

 over the latter case ; and on walls, where they may be still farther 

 discarded, it is probable that nature makes strenuous efforts to 

 maintain an equilibrium. But, I would ask, what has been done 

 by those who profess to assist her, to counteract this tendency? 

 Have they not done every thing possible to aggravate it ? Have 

 they not placed the roots in a depth, breadth, and length of 

 materials capable of supporting the pi'oudest monarch of the 

 wood for coming centuries? allowed the roots to run riot, and 

 reduced the top to a thing of shreds and patches, from which 

 greater part of the leaves are ruthlessly, unthinkingly, and often 

 needlessly removed : but, be this as it may, the portion left is 

 insufficient to maintain either roots or branches in a healthy state. 

 It may be urged that old wall trees are often destitute of avail- 

 able roots, instead of being overpowered by them ; granted : 

 still the want of roots is only the effect, previous excess the 

 probable cause ; they were allowed to preponderate until they 



