ArPENDIX. 



517 



may be excited throughout the mass, and the whole rendered fit for the 

 food of plants. This done, let the trench be filled up with such compound 

 somewhat higher than the original soil ; and let the space which has 

 been left untouched, of four feet out from the stem to the edge of the 

 trench, be covered eight or nine inches deej), with the same prepared 

 and friable compound, pointing it in with the spade only about three 

 inches deep, so as not materially to injure the roots. In order to com- 

 plete the process, let all the dead wood be carefully pruned away from 

 the branches with a saw, but dressing the extremities afterwards with 

 a sharp hedgebill. 



" In the following spring, all moss or other impurity should be scraped 

 ofi" the bark, and the entire stem well washed, two or three times during 

 the summer season, with soap and water, and a soft brush. 



" By following the above method, which, however elaborate it may 

 appear in the description, wall be very easily reduced to practice, I feel 

 confident that many fine old trees in gentlemen's parks, that are now 

 allowed to decay, might have another century added to their existence ; 

 because the extension of fresh pabulum at pleasure to greater limits 

 would be a labour well repaid, and attended with little expense, and as 

 little difficulty. There are few persons who would not bestow more 

 labour than this on a favourite tree ; and there are perhaps fewer who 

 will not admit that it might easily be applied to purposes of general uti- 

 lity, as well as local ornament. The principles on which this process 

 has been instituted are in accordance with the laws of animal as well as 

 vegetable physiology, and will be confirmed by practice, if they be 

 allowed to govern the process. I have uniformly found that the roots 

 where cut through in the opening of the trench, will send forth an im- 

 mense body of vigorous ramifications, of from a foot to fifteen inches in 

 length, during the first and second months after the operation, with 

 thousands of capillary rootlets emanating from them — all which will 

 go abroad in search of sap, for renovating the vigour of the tree. In a 

 tree of considerable age, such as the two above alluded to at your beauti- 

 ful place, it is to be observed that much figure cannot be expected to be 

 made, during the first year, in the elongation of its terminal shoots ; and 

 for this plain reason, that effects must necessarily be preceded by their 

 causes, whether they lie on the surface or otherwise ; but the leaves will 

 speedily become larger, and of a deeper green colour, than for some 

 years past ; and by the autumn of the second year, it will be admitted 

 that the tree is in some sort about to renew its youth. 



" During the early part of the first season, the new mould should be 

 allowed to remain quite undisturbed ; but towards the end of the year, 

 the gardener or forester may cautiously look in, and he will observe the 



