74 ON PRUNING. 



being as likely to attack them in one direction 

 as another. Where the roots are fixed to the 

 trunk, we find them in an oval shape, for 

 here the pressure or strain is in one direction, 

 caused by the leverage of the trunk of the 

 tree ; there is hardly a possibility of a strain 

 being exerted on the roots on this part in any 

 other direction than upwards and downwards, 

 and we see the roots are most capable of 

 bearing a strain in either of these directions." 



Innumerable proofs may be brought for- 

 ward that a tree has the power of adopting 

 the shape that is the best possible for the situ- 

 ation it grows in ; and if this be proved, what 

 occasion is there for pruning ? 



In support of this I cite the following case 

 in point : — " There is an ash-tree now growing 

 on the Hedenham estate in Norfolk, which is 

 estimated to contain fifteen loads of timber, 

 or six hundred feet, according to the following 

 measurement which has been taken of it : — 



