By Mr. John Robertson. 



1 85 



other organized beings, contains the germ of decay in its 

 bosom from its birth, yet as it is accelerated by adventitious 

 circumstances, so may it also be retarded by art. 



A tree though planted in the most favourable situation, 

 and enjoying in youth the most perfect health, must never- 

 theless experience in time infirmities proceeding, amongst 

 other causes, from the increasing difficulty with which the 

 head draws its supplies of nourishment from the roots, as the 

 distance between its extremities becomes more lengthened, 

 and its vessels become more rigid and obstructed ; but by 

 grafting the young shoots on young stocks, these defects may 

 in a great measure be done away, a new vigour imparted to it, 

 and its existence prolonged to an indefinite term, when com- 

 pared with that of human life. 



I remain, 



Sir, 



Your very obedient Servant, 



John Robertson, 



Kilkenny, 

 November 16, 1821. 



