38 



GROWING GOLD. 



at top, have mutilated branches, and are 

 stunted : this is occasioned by the stagnation 

 of the juices, and it is in no way so likely to 

 be caused extensively as by the wind. Indeed, 

 the question is completely set at rest by an 

 examination of the statements and the expe- 

 riments made to ascertain the force of the 

 wind by the anemometer, an account of which 

 is subjoined. Taking No. 3 (brisk gale) as an 

 example, it is asked, how is it possible for the 

 leading shoot of any fast growing tree to bear 

 a frequent pressure of a pound weight upon a 

 square foot of leaves ? And it will be seen that 

 a leading shoot of a fast growing oak tree, du- 

 ring the summer months, is only a vegetable 

 stem, therefore unable to resist the most 

 trifling force or pressure. As these calcula- 

 tions have hitherto been altogether omitted 

 by preceding writers on plants, and prac- 

 tical cultivators of young trees, it is highly 

 important to exhibit them here, because 

 the failures are at once accounted for, as 

 well as the cause of the checks in the 

 growth of many large plantations. Injudi- 



