17 
were fast becoming too tall and unsightly. The consequences of 
denuding the trees so largely of their foliage or lungs, at one time, 
were, that some died outright, and others lingered awhile upon the 
dividing line between life and death, looking so sadly distressed as 
to make the latter seem a chosen release. Being remediless, they 
were all dug up and given to the flames. “If they do these things 
in a green tree, what shall be done in the” newly planted one ? 
And so far from its being a reason for cutting off the points of 
vitality above ground, because those below are gone, I think we 
should not light the candle at both ends at once, but “strengthen 
the things that remain that are ready to die,” by saving the large 
buds and forthcoming lungs so full of energy and power, as are 
those found at the highest points of the tree. That a far more inti- 
raate and life-giving connection exists between the terminals of 
both roots and branches, than between other parts of a tree, must 
be apparent to every thoughtful cultivator. When, therefore, we 
decide to clip the fins of the fish, to enable him to swim the faster, 
or the wings of the dove, that she may fly the higher, then let us 
cut off the very sources of life, the living top branches of our trans- 
planted fruit trees, that they may the more surely live. Nature 
herself prunes off the lower branches that have done their appointed 
work, but man, more wise, begins with the topmost ones laying 
bare to the renee Aes and exhausting power, those efficient 
pores or arteries so carefully covered and protected by the Author 
of tree lite from such depleting intrusions; and then vainly flatters 
himself that he is assisting Nature instead of viola‘ing her laws! ” 
Sometimes, owing to improper exposure of the roots after digging, 
the long continued dryness of the atmosphere, or the robbing of 
all nutriment from the trees, by weeds &e. around them after plant- 
ing, the top limbs will die and should then be cut off, of course. 
But really, such trees are of very little value, and in most cases, I 
should dig them up at once, go and get a new lot of trees, and take 
better care of them both before and after planting. If the tops die 
tirst when badly treated, so if well managed the terminals are the 
first to bring their potent openings to aid the circulation and pro- 
mote the vitality of the entire tree, and to extend and envigorate 
its rootlets. The concert of action between buds, leaflets, and 
leaves, and the spongioles or rootlets is so exceedingly constant and 
powerful, that he who hopes for success in rearing fruit trees, should 
