302 SIR HENRY STEUART'S METHOD 



tive which will influence any one to remove an old 

 tree, will be to impart ornament or shelter to some 

 place destitute of wood. But in the extent, ba- 

 lance and closeness of the branches of a tree, both 

 its beauty and its power of affording shelter chiefly 

 consist. Independently, therefore, of any use which 

 the branches may be of to the success of trees when 

 transplanted, there is very strong inducement to se- 

 lect them with the best possible tops, and preserve 

 these tops from all injury and mutilation. It so 

 happens, however, that the branches of a tree are 

 nearly as necessary for its growth as the roots them- 

 selves. They carry the leaves, and without the 

 leaves the sap cannot be elaborated so as to become 

 food for the tree. The sap is first extracted from 

 the earth by the roots ; it passes from the roots to 

 the stem, and from the stem to the branches, and 

 thence to the leaves, by the sensible and insensible 

 respiration of which, and by communication with 

 the atmosphere, it first becomes fit for the pur- 

 poses of nutrition. It then gradually circulates 

 back again, feeding in its way, first, the branches ; 

 secondly, the stem ; and last of all, the roots, which 

 are therefore as much dependent on the branches, 

 as the branches on them. To mutilate the top of 



