SECTION VI. 



437 



permitted,) as well as from vegetable anatomy in general, and the nature 

 of the sap's descent in particular, we may deduce the following practical 

 conclusions regarding the question at issue. 



First. That all timber trees thrive best, and produce wood of the 

 best quality, when growing m soils and climates most natural to the 

 species. It should, therefore, be the anxious study of the planter to 

 ascertain and become well acquainted with these, and to raise trees as 

 much as possible in such soils and climates. 



Secondly. That trees may be said to be in their natural state when 

 they have sprung up fortuitously, and propagated themselves without 

 aid from man, whether it be in aboriginal forests, ancient woodlands, 

 commons, or the like.* That in such trees, whatever tends to increase 

 the wood in a greater degree than accords with the species when in its 

 natural state, must injure the quality of the timber. 



Thirdly. That whatever tends to increase the growth of trees tends 

 to expand their vegetable fibre. That when that takes place, or when the 

 annual circles of the wood are soft, and larger than the general annual 

 increase of the tree should warrant, then the timber must be less hard 

 and dense, and more liable to suffer from the action of the elements. 



Fourthly. That a certain slowness of growth is essentially necessary 

 to the closeness of texture, and durability of all timber, but especially 

 of the Oak ; and that, wherever the growth of that wood is unduly acce- 

 lerated by culture of the soil, (such as by trenching and manuring,) or by 

 undue superiority of climate, it will be injured in quality in the precise 

 ratio in which those agents have been employed. 



Fifthly. That as it is extremely important, for the success of trees, 

 to possess a certain degree of vigour in the outset, or to be what is 

 technically called " well set off," the aid of culture is not in every case 

 to be precluded by a consideration of the general rule. That if trees be 

 in a soil and climate worse than those that are natural to them, then cul- 

 ture will be of some advantage, as the extra increase of wood will be 



* Some trees, however, and herbaceous plants, may be said to be naturalised 

 to certain situations, in which, without the aid of art, they never would have 

 been found, "Thus," says Mr Loudon, "we sometimes find mountain plants com- 

 mon in plains, and even in meadows ; and alpine trees which disseminate them- 

 selves in warmer and more level districts. But the botanist, by comparing the 

 effects of these different situations on the vegetable, always knows how to select, 

 as general nature, that ^N\n.Qh perfects all its parts, and where the soil and situation 

 are best suited to the reproduction of the species and the prolongation of indi- 

 vidual life. These rules" adds he, "are founded in nature. For example : no 

 person, judging from them, could mistake a warm English common for the 

 natural soil and situation of the Scotch Fir, though it frequently is found grow- 

 ing there." — Form, and Improv. of Countr. Resid. 



