RECOVERY OF OAK WOOD. 



265 



iial and natural channels, it disgorges itself by form- 

 ing tufts of insignificant shoots all over the stem of 

 the plant ; as the humours of the human body some- 

 times break out in blotches on the skin. Thus an 

 irregular scraggy bush is gradually formed, which it 

 is beyond the art of the most skilful pruner to train 

 up into any semblance of a proper tree. The only 

 certain cure for oaks in this state is to head them 

 down within an inch of the ground. The knife is 

 a fit instrument to perform this work, if the stem is 

 not above two inches in circumference ; but when 

 the girth exceeds this, a small saw, made for the pur- 

 pose, should be used. In applying the knife, a con- 

 siderable pull is requisite, which will have a tendency 

 to disturb the roots, if they are not well fixed in the 

 earth. In heading down oaks, therefore, that have 

 only been planted a few seasons, the operator should 

 place a foot on each side of the stem, and as near it 

 as is consistent with the use of the knife, that the 

 roots may be kept firm by his weight. 



I recollect no instance in which the above treat- 

 ment did not prove salutary. The cutting down of 

 the plant leaves no room for the sap to waste itself, as 

 formerly, in the production of a multitude of insig- 

 nificant twigs. It is concentrated in a single point ; 

 and the consequence is, that a healthy, vigorous and 



