this rule,.as thqir interior parts do not run -any rilk from
fuch . an operation, there being a great difference between
trees, whofe fibres are impregnated'with a balfamie
and incorruptible oil, and thofe which draw their nurture
from fap, the fuperabundance o f which, tends to putrefaction
; for the rootofatree increafes; an^l grows, in proportion
as the item and principal branche $ require a greater
fupply of nurture. It is equally known, that the juicfes fucked
in by the roots, are annually diftributed from the item
to the branches,-affording life- and fupport to the -leaves,
flowers and fruit. For this reafon the mulberry trees in
Valencia, which are pruned every two or three years*
begin to decay in five or fix years, and the oak and -chef-
nut o f Bifcay, which are ufed in the fame manner for the
purpofe o f charcoal, begin-to decline, the former in tert
years, and the latter in twenty, when they ought to be
in their prime. On the contrary, thofe oaks which grow
in their natural Hate, never tranfplanted nor pruned, nor
receiving other ill-treatment,, neither rot, nor become
hollow, except by fome particular accident, but pulh on
to a venerable old age, till the courfe of nature has. at
laft brought them to their final decline.
It is neverthelefs allowed, that the fmall portion of fap
diverted from its courfe by cafual pruning, which falls
back into the fteifi, is not fuflicicnt to rot the tirée j or.
caufe any effential prejudice, provided the wound is
foon
Too a healed, which cannot be done when the branch is
;large.i ¡and -if) the operation is often repeated, it will infallibly;
occalioo a. caries. Let us admire thofe beautiful
elms .-planted by. Charles Vth. at Aranjuez, about two
.hundred' years ago,, which, now: have ,a moft amazing
trunk, furprifirig by their height and bulk, fome near fix
feet diameter, without the leaft appearance of decay ;
when the trees of the Prado, at Madrid, from having
been pruned, were rottefi .in lels than a century ; but
at Aranjuez, when any o f the trees arc ,pulled up, though
the tops are decayed from old age,, they afford beams as
foljd, as; a walnut-tree,, while, the old. trees .of. the Prado
.feryed -_only for fuel ,, the. fame, will happen with thofe in
the walks of the Delicias, near, Madrid, though planted
only thirty, years ago-, which from being repeatedly, lopped,
are-already in a Hate o f decay,, arid will, foon totally
perilh. •; .. .... Uia -
The mulberry trees of Valencia yield a fecond leaf, of
equal ffrqngth with the firlt that, was ftripped off. I
once alked a peafant why he did not avail himfelf o f this
fecond leaf, for the ufe of the filk worms ,?, he anfwered
me, that it would be o f infinite prejudice to the tree,
and drain it o f its fubftance. Fie was right as to the
fail, though his reafon was bad, becaufe the roots with
their juices, fupport the llem,branches, leaves, and fruit.
I f the branches are lopped, the Hem grows hollow ; if the;
firlt