206 



PEUNING A^^D TIIIXXIXG. 



PT. IV. 



of branches, and where the piths of these branches join 

 the pith of the stem, they mark in the centre of the 

 tree, indehbly and for ever, the highest point of each 

 successive annual growth, from the first shoot of the 

 seedhng to the last shoot of the forest pine. C, the 

 point where the pith of the branch joins the pith of the 

 stem, marks also the highest point of the first annual 

 grow^th of this board. The reason that this first growth 

 is so small is, that it formed the taper top of the then 

 leader of the tree. So the difference in the size of the 

 main pith above and below the branch is caused by the 

 junction of the tapering end of the pith of the older 

 lower shoot with the broad- based beginning of the 

 pith of the younger upper shoot. 



On the left side of the pith of the stem, where 

 there is no branch, it may be seen that the first annual 

 growth of the older shoot of the stem below the branch 

 ceases at C, but the pith is prolonged through it 

 upwards ; also that the first annual growth of the 

 younger shoot of the stem above the branch is con- 

 tinuous, and the same with the second annual growth 

 of the older shoot of the stem below the branch : and, 

 doubtless, the reason that the second growth below is 

 so much larger than the first growth either above or 

 below is, that it has received the deposit from the 

 whorl of branches in addition to the growth from the 

 leader, which did not accrue to either of these first 

 annual growths. Each annual growth of the stem 

 above the branch will be found continuous, and the 



