33S Off THE ROOTS OF TREKS. 



vials ; and the third part is the laboratory for forming each 

 different gas and juice necessary to the health and h.ibits of the 

 tree. I may well add a fourth j for the radicles are the col- 

 lectors sent out on every side to seek fresh provisions, to gug- 

 ment the stores, and increase the riches of this little habitation. 

 Defect of cut- They have all the mechanism appropriated to-the purpose, and 

 ting the tap- .. u i ■ • j ■ ■ ^ \ 



root. ^"^ "^''^ ^"° '"'"^ 2*'^ ^o joined, as to serve, not only to protect 



and defend thern from the stones and insects vt'ithin the earth, 

 but also to pierce and make way for them through the hardest 

 materials; for they possess that softening power which enables 

 them, I may say> to eat their way into every substance. It 

 ^, . cannot be doubted, that they possess this faculty as \v<A] as 



buds, since I have perpetually found them dividing roots, pierc- 

 ing through the hardest wood, and even separating stones where 

 Rcot to be cut any little defect as>^isted them. That a tap-root, or any root 

 11 injured. {j-,^j jj. jt.jui-ed^ sDould be cut off, there can be no doubt, since 

 the danger of the rot is greater than any other inconvenience — 

 but the greatest care (when trees are to be transplanted) should 

 be taken not to hurt the roots, and if any radicles can be pre- 

 served, by wrapping them up in fresh earth, it should be done j 

 for if they will live a little time, it will he a great gain to the 

 Necessity of tree; and here is the advantage of having the pit ready dug, 

 removing trees ^j-jj removing the plant, with all the earth around it — it pre- 

 serves the few radicles alive, and enables them directly to per- 

 form their otliee of pumping moisture and nourishment from 

 the earth — but if the tree is taken out some hours before it is 

 replaced, all the radicles are sure to die ; and if the tap-root is 

 also injured, no wonder they never make fine trees; or that 

 those planted by nature are always found superior. The reason 

 that throwing a quantity of water into the pit has been found 

 serviceable, is, that it supplies moisture, and quickens the 

 growth of the new radicles; and what is still more advantageous, 

 znd $ho\y\il he constantly done, a large barrow oi good mould 

 should be thrown on the roots, and about the radicles ; for a 

 young and teniler shoot, if it has to pierce through clods of 

 earth in its sickly state, Vv'ill certainly fail. It is like easily di- 

 gested meat to a weak stomach — if you load it with heavy food 

 at first, it destroys it at once ; but let it gain strength and vi- 

 gour, and a well-conditioned radicle will pierce through stoD« 

 walls in time. It may be supposed, that according to the va- 

 • ' rietjr 



