steuart's planter's guide. 



descend, and also on the slowness of the descent. 

 Now, both these requisites are materially increased 

 by side-branches, which retain a large quantity of 

 sap, and, by their junction with the stem, occasion a 

 contraction and twisted direction of the vessels, which 

 obstructs the progress of the (proper) sap. Of ma- 

 ple and birch, those trees which have fewest side- 

 branches bleed more freely than the other, but du- 

 ring a much shorter space of time. These hints, 

 therefore, afford additional evidence against pruning, 

 and particularly against pruning fir trees, which, as 

 Mr Knight justly observes, have larger vessels than 

 the others, and therefore, when in an improved soil 

 and climate, side-branches for the purposes above 

 mentioned are essentially necessary to them, if so- 

 lid, resinous, and durable timber be the object in 

 view. 



From the foregoing remarks, I think the follow- 

 ing conclusions may be drawn. 



" First, That trees should be planted as much as 

 possible in soils, situations, and climates, analogous 

 to those of their natural state ; and that it is chief- 

 ly in this state, or when there are some defects rela- 

 tive to it, that pruning or culture can be exercised 

 with advantage. 



3 



