vigour, and of sound and healthy wood? All these are gone, as Miller truly states; all are utterly annihilated by the rude assaults of the axe, which has left no trace remaining of their existence. The most prominent and characteristic features of the species, which mainly reside in the top, have disappeared also by the same process : for even when such trees do succeed, and acquire the formal and bush-like head, common to all that are removed after the mutilating method, "it is seldom," as Pontey observes, "that they harmonise with any thing about them."*

On comparing them with plants raised from the nursery, or the seed, we perceive but a small saving of time in favour of this system: yet it is time saved with the infliction of such evils, and the sacrifice of such advantages, as to render it any thing but desirable to the planter of taste.

On the other hand, we will suppose the same planter to transfer a tree of similar description and dimensions to a situation of similar exposure, but according to the preservative method. This tree, being a subject of uncommon beauty, as above described, and having a head of more than five-and-twenty feet broad, strong roots of fourteen and fifteen feet of a side (instead of seven) are taken up with it, together with abundance of the minutest fibres, after a peculiar method, to be explained in the sequel. Instead of lopping and defacing the top and side-branches, the whole are left untouched, and their fine symmetry is preserved entire. Transportation of the tree to its destined site then follows; where, after being replanted according to a peculiar method, also productive of stability in an extraordinary degree, it is found capable of resisting the wind on the simplest principles, namely, the acquired steadfastness of the stem, and the length and * Rural Improver, p. 87.

distribution of the roots, added to the balance of an extensive top, from whatever quarter it may blow.

During the first spring, when the sap begins to flow abundantly upwards, if no severe frosts supervene to cut down the slender spray of the top, not a branch or a twig is found to decay. The sap ascends, by means of adequate roots, in a sufficient quantity for the support of both, and for enabling the leaves to perform their elaborating functions. The leaves, therefore, though for obvious reasons of a lesser size, and sometimes a lighter colour than usual, during the first season universally clothe every part. After the first, or at all events after the second year, under common circumstances, the deep hue of health and the fulness of leaf which the tree formerly displayed again return; and while its foliage glitters in the sunshine, or floats on the breeze, no eye can distinguish whether it has been two years or forty in its new situation. Picturesque effect or shelter, as the planter's object chances to be, is in this way obtained from the first. But no planter of experience will expect shoots of much consequence to appear till the tree be established in the ground. This of course requires four or five years, at least in the climate of Scotland, after which it usually shoots forth with vigour; and the longer it stands, according to the preservative system, it will shoot with the greater vigour, as the experience of more than thirty years has incontestibly proved. By this statement, then, it appears that the system in question has, in this country, the power of saving, and in some sort of anticipating, forty years of the life of man-a large portion, in any view, of that uncertain possession. And thus, by following such a system, the immediate and full effect of wood is at once procured at a moderate expense, as shall be made apparent in the sequel.

In this view of the two methods, I am not conscious to myself of having exaggerated the evils, or concealed any of the advantages, attendant on the mutilating system; at least, if the opinions of Miller, Marshall, Pontey, and other skilful planters and phytologists, be well founded. Should any of my readers conceive that I have too highly coloured the delineation of the preservative, let them do me the honour to visit this place, and judge for themselves. Which of the two methods is deserving of the preference, I leave to the decision of the impartial. But I will take the liberty to add, that as I write chiefly for the practical, not for the speculative improver, probably those planters will be found to judge most candidly, in this competition between the systems, who have themselves tried the practice of the art.

Thus I have endeavoured, in the course of the foregoing observations, to develop and illustrate certain principles for the improvement of this art, and also that of general planting; which principles, though derived from science, may not attract the notice they deserve. It is only on an acquaintance with vegetable physiology and the anatomy of plants, with the habits they display and the organs and properties they possess, that any sound foundation can be laid for practical arboriculture. The lessons suggested by this inquiry, and the conclusions to which it has led, are the fruit of long experience and a careful induction of facts and experiments, the only safe and true method of philosophising on any subject. From what has been said, the inexperienced planter will see of how much importance it is for him in this, as in other things, to distrust established dogmas, to adopt some phytological inquiry as the groundwork of his practice, and to think for himself.

Yet there are those who may imagine that, in a treatise

professing to be practical, I have dwelt unnecessarily long on the exposition of principles. But they may rest

assured that no method could have been devised more certain, than a thorough acquaintance with them, to shorten the road to knowledge. Without this, the utmost diligence of the planter is being at sea without a compass. Accurate practice and manual dexterity are soon acquired, and can succeed only when made subservient to principles, and to a careful study of those beautiful but simple methods which nature pursues in perfecting her works.

SECTION V.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW THEORY. SELECTION OF SUBJECTS FOR REMOVAL.

If it be true, as has been observed by a judicious writer, that the removal of large trees "forms the most difficult part of planting," it is certainly not less true that the selection of subjects forms the most difficult part of transplanting. This I have no expectation is to gain general belief with country gentlemen, or even with practical planters of superior intelligence; because both consider planting merely as a mechanical art, and neither will easily be brought to study it as an object of interesting science, or even liberal inquiry. When Demosthenes was asked what he considered as the first quality in an orator, he at once replied, action, according to the very extensive acceptation of that term which prevailed in his day. When questioned as to the second quality, he said, action and being desired to name the third, he still gav e the same answer. In this emphatic way, I must own, I should be disposed to speak of the selection of subjects, were I to be similarly questioned by the young planter, whether his curiosity were directed to planting in general, or to any particular branch or department of the art; and I should earnestly recommend this difficult subject to his patient investigation and his most assiduous study.

It is obvious, however, in the department under con

Marshall.