208 CULTURE AND MANAGEMENT OF OAK. 



power has dissipated itself in throwing out a num- 

 ber of puny insignificant twigs, all in a lateral direc- 

 tion, and none of them of sufficient consequence to 

 take the lead in bringing up the tree. To conclude 

 from such appearances that the former will not on- 

 ly retain but increase the superiority which they 

 have already acquired over the latter, and that they 

 will ultimately become larger and more handsome 

 trees, is merely the dictate of common sense. In 

 the one, the sap is concentrated in the production of 

 what is chiefly desirable, — straight and thriving 

 stems ; in the other it is divided among a multitude 

 of branches, each of which must therefore grow with 

 a slowness proportioned to the scantiness of its nou- 

 rishment. Nor can the skill of the pruner be ap- 

 plied at a period sufficiently early to remedy these 

 defects either of figure or growth ; for when the 

 shoots of a plant are very small, grow collaterally, 

 and are all nearly of the same size, it is impossible 

 to determine, with any degree of accuracy, which it 

 is most proper to preserve, and which to lop off. 

 Besides, it is consistent with experience, that plants 

 of any kind having received a check which obstructs 

 their vegetation for more than one season, become 

 hide-hound as it is termed, or, in other words, con- 

 tract a disease which, without absolutely killing 



