[VII] 



If we examine more closely we shall find that nature adapts her- 

 self to these changed conditions, and ayails herself of whateyer 

 advantages they afford. 



The single tree when growing by itself sends its roots deep into 

 the ground in search of the moisture which cannot be had near the 

 surface, and thus, when it reaches mature age, it draws its supplies 

 from sources beyond the reach of temporary changes, and, moreover, 

 secures so firm a hold upon the ground that it suffers no injury 

 from the storms that assail it, but fearlessly stretches forth its 

 arms as if to challenge the gale. 



In the woods, on the contrary, the surface soil never becomes 

 parched or heated, but maintains an even degree of temperature 

 and moisture in consequence not only of the exclusion of the sun 

 and winds, but of the deep mulching of leaves which annually cover 

 the ground and keep it moist, while, by their decomposition, they 

 form a rich mould comprising all the ingredients of vegetation. 



If we dig only a few inches into this mould we find it everywhere 

 permeated by fibrous rootlets emanating from larger roots, which 

 under these circumstances have kept near the surface where they 

 draw nourishment from the rich material there provided. If the 

 single tree in the open ground had tried to live by such means, it 

 would speedly . have perished for want of nourishment, or would 

 have been uprooted by the winds as forest trees are liable to be 

 when left alone in a clearing. 



In the woods the necessity no longer exists of sending the roots 

 to a great depth either in search of nourishment or for support 

 against storms, and nature always adapts hereself to circumstances 

 and attains her ends by the simplest and most economical means. 



If we now consider the facts I have stated, which anyone can 

 easily verify for himself, we shah find that aU the essential princi- 

 ples of tree culture are comprised within their limits, and by their 

 rational observances we may secure healthy and vigorous trees, and 

 develope at will either such forms as will fit them for timber or for 

 ornamental use. 



The five trees I have cited — maple, chestnut, linden, oak and ash 

 — are among the most common and yet the most valuable of our 

 forest trees, and may be taken as representatives and proper illus- 

 trations of the facts I am stating. Either of these trees, if growing 

 by itself in proper soil and undisturbed by other than natural influ- 

 ences, will attain, at maturity a height of seventy or eighty feet, 

 with a spread of limb equal in diameter to its height, and a trunk 

 of such massive proportions as leaves no room for apprehension of 

 inability to uphold the wilderness of foliage it has to support. But 

 these same trees, if growing in a wood, will send up a slender stem, 

 straight as an arrow, fifty, sixty or seventy feet without a limb or 

 a leaf, till it reaches the average height of its fellows, and sends out 

 its tufts of foliage to secure the benefit of every sunbeam it can 

 catch. ' 



We see therefore, that if we wish to form a beautiful and sym- 

 metrical tree, or a grove of such, composed of individual specimens 

 of majestic and graceful proportions, we must allow it free access, 

 to sun and air, with full power of expansion on every side. While 

 young, however, the growth will be more vigorous and healthy, and 



