CH. IT. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



.125 



asserters of the positive, and say, ' If there be such a 

 thing as a tap-root, find one, and show it to us.' 



Nay, I am so easily contented, that I shall be 

 satisfied of the existence of a tap-root if a large oak 

 can be shown without the large spurs indicative of 

 horizontal roots. Practically, some of the best growing 

 trees that I have ever transplanted are oaks. I need 

 not say that these had no tap-roots, or that if they had 

 they would not have borne transplanting. 



The largest growth in girthing on branches is on 

 the sides on which they have the most spray or small 

 twigs ; so that branches which grow diagonally upward, 

 having the greater quantity of spray on the outside, on 

 account of the greater quantity of light, will also have 

 their annual rings of wood largest on the outside from 

 the descending sap of the spray depositing most freely 

 on its own side. 



But the stem of a tree will be exactly like a river : Girthing of 



^ the stem 



its size will depend on the number and size of the on^t'i^'e^''''* 

 branches which fall into it; and it will be seen to b?anch*i°^ 

 increase below and to decrease above the spot where 

 each of its tributary branches joins it. It is beautifully 

 ordained that no branch can grow above without 

 depositing below strength to support itself. 



Fir-trees, which are very regular in the size and 

 position of their branches, are for this reason very 

 regular in the tapering of their stems ; but if the lower 

 branches are cut, or killed by their neighbours, in the 

 course of time the branchless part of the stem loses its 



