TIMBERS. 



25 



of the curve, hedge-row is better adapted to growing 

 them than the forest, especially when the trees are 

 close in the row. The bend generally takes place 

 across the row ; and the bole of the tree acquires a ' 

 greater diameter in that direction than in the line 

 of the row. If the figure of the top of a tree be very 

 elliptical in the horizontal plane, the cross section of 

 the bole, instead of being circular, will also be ellip- 

 tical (cake-gromi). The lateral spread of the roots 

 in thick planted rows being greater than the longi- 

 tudinal, also tends to give elliptic bole, the stem 

 swelling most on the sides where the strongest roots 

 enter, which, of course, always occurs on the sides af- 

 fording most nourishment. Forests intended for 

 ship timbers might be planted and kept in rows a 

 considerable distance apart, with the plants close in 

 the row, and thus acquire the elliptic bole. This 

 would also facilitate the bending ; by being turned 

 a Httle right and left alternately, they would spon- 

 taneously, from the weight of the top, and their in- 

 cHnation to avoid the shade of each other, increase 

 the original bias. Were forests planted in close 

 double rows, the plants thick in the row, with wide 

 avenues or glades between^ many of the trees would 

 acquire crooked boles, and the crooked might be re- 

 tained when thinning. Avenues of this description 



