SECTION III. 



399 



because (as has been explained in the text) plants, like animals, being 

 the creatures of circumstances, circumstances in both old and young 

 are perpetually changing ; therefore similar properties never can be 

 possessed by both. 



In one of the most scientific and justly popular works of the present 

 times, " The Encyclopiedia of Agriculture," we find the above proposi- 

 tion, respecting old trees, enunciated in the broadest and most unquali- 

 fied terms ; and so clear and undeniable does it appear to the author, 

 that he reduces its application to a sort of arithmetical proportion, and 

 in that condensed form delivers it as an axiom, for the guidance of the 

 young planter in retrenching the tops as well as the roots of his large 

 trees.* " As the whole quantity of roots (says he) which the tree had 

 before removal, is to the whole quantity of branches which it now has, 

 (i. e. when not mutilated,) so is the quantity of roots which it now has 

 (after mutilation,) to the quantity of top which it ought to have." In 

 other words, as you have no means of taking up roots in sufficient 

 number to nourish the branches, and must on that account retrench 

 and mutilate them, so you may e'en lop and mutilate the branches also, 

 to the limited number which can be nourished by your roots. Now I 

 should conceive that the more philosophical way of proceeding would 

 have been, first to ascertain by facts and experiments, whether it were 

 right and salutary for the well-being of the tree to lop and lighten the 

 branches at all 1 And, if it appeared to be proper not to lop, but to 

 preserve them, then to seek for some method of taking up the roots in 

 such numbers as were adequate to the sustenance of the branches. 

 This, as appears in the text, is the very object and basis of the system 

 recommended in this treatise, which, being the one pointed out by 

 nature herself, must necessarily be the true one. 



Let us hear what the sagacious and experienced Miller says as to the 

 propriety of retrenching the roots and branches of young woody plants, 

 as is recommended by the present method. " First (says he) as to the 

 roots. All the small fibres are to be cut off, as near to the place from 

 whence they are produced as may be, excepting such trees as are to be 

 replanted immediately/ after tliey are taken up ; otherwise, the air will 

 turn all the small roots and fibres black, which if permitted to remain 

 on, when the tree is planted, will grow mouldy and decay. 



" After having displaced the proper branches, you should also cut 



* Lest there should be any doubt that the lightening of the tops of the 

 trees is meant to be a complete one, we find that the two trees, shown attached 

 to the transplanting machines, in the two wood-cuts in the EncyclopEedias of 

 Gardening and Agriculture, are effectually lightened and reduced to nearly the 

 condition of pollards. See Garden, p. 335. Agrictdt. p. 454. 



