AND SUBOEDINATION. T9 



retarded ; whilst, on tlie contrary, a considerable growth of 

 their side-branches and branchlets is a check on these lead- 

 ing branches. 



These facts are strikingly seen in the landscape physiog- 

 nomy of certain trees. In the Lombardy Poplar [Populus 

 dilatata), the main stem or axis takes a maximum develop- 

 ment, and the branches are consequently reduced to a mini- 

 mum, so that the whole tree, when viewed from a distance, 

 resembles a vast spindle. In other trees, however, such as 

 the Horse-Chestnut {(EscuIub Mppocastanum) and the Lin- 

 den ( Tilia Americana), the branches make an equally power- 

 ful growth with the primary axis or stem, and this prevents 

 its elongation. Hence, the main axis or stem is hardly dis- 

 tinguishable from the branches. "When uninjured by 

 storms or artificial pruning, the brahche3_of these tfc.ea 

 us ually spread out equally pn_aflljBidea|_and their_to£jor 

 head is dome-shaBfid..or hemispherical. Tor this reason _ 

 these trees make a fine appearance on a lawn or park, in \ 

 addition to the recommendation of perfect shade which J 

 they aflbrd. 



Now this competition amongst the leading branches of 

 a tree with their subordinate branchlets and shoots, for sap 

 and sunlight, is a truthful illustration of that struggle for 

 pre-eminence and for the good things of this life, which is 

 perpetually going on through all the ramifications of so- 

 ciety. In this respect, rich and poor, employer and em- 

 ployed, meet on terms of equality. Both have hard times ; 

 for there is as much competition amongst the great leading 

 branches or master minds of our communities as between 

 their subordinates — the branchlets and little twigs ; and 

 the result is that the man who gives employment to hun- 

 dreds of hands and counts his dollars by thousands, is not 

 unfrequently as hard pushed to meet his numerous obliga- 

 tions as the workman whom he employs. K is th e nature 

 of man to seek for p ower, t o stru ggj^Jorjpjcfcifimiiifince in 

 the profe3sion j)£jbran^Q£Iaborto which he devotes him- 

 self, ,This produces competition, and as, from the very 

 nature of things, it is impossible that all should be success- 

 ful, each physician and lawyer, manufacturer, merchant. 



