CONTENTS. 



iii 



of vegetable physiology. Rank and precedency of tlie four pro- 

 tecting properties. — I. Thickness and induration of bark. 

 Idea of the double course of the sap in trees. Doctrine of its 

 circulation. Grew, Malpighi, De la Baisse, Du Hamel, Knight, 

 Ellis, Keith. Striking effects of heat and cold. — II. Girth 

 and stoutness of stem. — III. Numerousness of roots and fibres. 

 — New theory of tap-roots. Their analogy to, and coexistence 

 with, leading branches. — IV. Extent, balance, and closeness of 

 branches. Roots and branches relative and correlative. Curious 

 protection furnished to the colder sides of trees. — Largest-headed 

 trees resist the wind the best. — New principle of reversing the 

 position of the branches on removal. Great effect produced by 

 it. Unfounded nature of prejudices against the practice. — Idea 

 of the preservative, in contradistinction to the mutilating method. 

 Specimen of a tree removed at AUanton House, plate II. Com- 

 parative view of the two systems, as applied to practice. - 77-109 



SECTION V. 



FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW THEORY. SELECTION OF SUBJECTS 



FOR REMOVAL. 



Selection of subjects the most difficult part of the art. Good sub- 

 jects more numerous than is generally believed. — Errors usually 

 committed by planters. I. Want of a proper adaptation of trees 

 to soils. Illustrated by cropping in husbandry. — The handsomest 

 trees always those that thrive the best. — II. Taking subjects from 

 close woods and plantations. — Effects of climate on animals. Con- 

 sequence of counteracting the laws of nature. — III. Setting out 

 too early into the open field. Fallacious expectations entertained 

 respecting that practice. — Striking illustration by a real example. 

 Theory of ill success. Close analogy between vegetable and 

 animal life. — Idea of a proper selection of subjects. Difficulty 

 of following nature, in adapting the protecting properties. Im- 

 portance of husbanding them, so as to produce the greatest 

 effect. — Art of modifying the effect of heat and cold on woods. 

 Curious points of resemblance between air and water. Places 

 the best laid out always the best sheltered, — Fatal consequences of 

 excluding cold from full-grown woods. — Selection of subjects for 

 underwood. New method of bush-planting in the open park. 

 Protecting the plants not impossible. Pontey. — Best sizes of 

 trees for successful removal. - _ _ 110-128 



