186 



PRUNING AND THINNING. 



PT. IV. 



doubt tliat, by early and gradual pruning, single trees 

 migiit be trained to much greater heights than we see 

 at present. 



The works ^yhen this was so stated in the first edition, an 



of God can 



, anonymous friend wrote, ' The works of God cannot 



proved by 'J ' 



be improved by man.' I differ. I think that the 

 works of God can be improved by man. I think that 

 God as much intended his works to be improved by 

 man, as He intended us to improve ourselves. Are 

 the glorious gifts of the Creator, the products of the 

 farm, the kitchen-garden, and the flower-garden, not 

 improved by man ? Are our domestic animals not 

 improved by man ? Is the European man no better 

 than the Bosjeman? If so, we give ourselves and 

 children much pains for nothing. I believe that God 

 has made man in general an instrument to perfect the 

 terrestrial treasures of His creation, for man's own 

 advantage ; and that to some God has imparted the 

 highest possible enjoyment in eliciting, improving^ and 

 displaying the beauties of His creation, quite distinct 

 from any mercenary or selfish ends of their own. 



It is true that one life will not accomplish much. 

 But that we can do little is not a reason for doing less, 

 or nothing at all. One year's pruning, by destroying 

 competing leaders, may destroy what would for ever 

 have vitiated the growth of the tree. Ten years' 

 pruning might leave Nature a sketch to fill up, such 

 as she could not have accomplished without the aid of 

 man. Haply, also, others may take up the running 

 when we succumb. 



