THE planter's GUIDE. 



243 



but placed in different degrees of exposure, in equal 

 quantities, the slioots wliich the trees send forth will not 

 be in the ratio of the compound applied, but in the ratio 

 of the exposure. In the same way, if we apply the one 

 half of the compound to a park tree comparatively 

 sheltered, and double the quantity, or more, to a similar 

 tree severely exposed, the shoots which are sent forth by 

 the former will be fully equal to those sent forth by the 

 latter. Thus the uniform but relative success attending 

 this practice demonstrates the justness of the principle. 



But what shall we say to the case, which frequently 

 occurs, of two trees to all appearance equally formed and 

 circumstanced, and yet unequal in their progress ; or, more 

 properly speaking, of which the one is progressive, and 

 the other visibly stationary As there can be no effect 

 without an adequate cause, so we are compelled to believe, 

 that such plants are either different from what they appear 

 in their internal development, or that their development 

 is differently acted on by its external conditions, otherwise 

 we should unquestionably perceive the same results. 

 From what we know of the uncertain and anomalous 

 practices of planters, there are various circumstances 

 respecting removed trees that may possibly be regarded 

 either as proximate or efficient causes of their ill success, 

 or at least of their appearing stationary, when, as we 

 imagine, we have done every thing in our power to render 

 them progressive. These circumstances or causes are 

 probably the following : 



First, an unsuitable or inappropriate soil or subsoil. 

 There are certain soils on which all trees will thrive ; and 

 there are certain other soils on which particular trees will 

 not thrive, according to their particular properties, and 

 the law of nature that regulates their species. As nine 

 planters in ten are unable to discriminate regarding plants 



