[40] They say a better management has lately been established. This may be followed for a short time in the high stream of the agitation, or while the present heads of management remain in power; but the system, we fear, contains the seeds of evil, which, like the weeds, will soon overwhelm the alien good. [41] The inferior growth of the part of a hedge which was pruned before the vegetation had begun, may be ascribed to the vital action having been checked at the commencement by the destruction of the buds necessary to stimulate this action; and being deprived of this first strong impulse, life had remained languid throughout the season, the roots never recovering their proper suction or foraging power;—when the pruning was later, a sufficient stimulus had already been given. [42] Vide Sir Walter Scott. [43] The want of the annual layers of cellular tissue of wood, exterior to and separating the annual lineal tubes, is so complete in some cases of slow growth, that the timber seems only a light congeries of tubes, without arrangement; hence the age of the tree cannot be determined but by a section of the root-bulb, where the growths are larger, and the deposits regular. [44] The climate of a country in regard to annual steadiness, can be pretty accurately determined by the appearance of the annual layers of trees, especially of the pine tribe; and in a new settlement where great difference of size of layer, and of resinous deposit is observed, we may be pretty certain the seasons are not steady, or that insect depredations or blights occur; and a reserve of food ought always to be retained. By careful inspection of the nature of the annual wood deposit, or of the locality with regard to moisture, it may be ascertained, whether the irregularity has been owing to difference of temperature, or of moisture. In warm climates the irregularity will generally depend on drought and moisture, and in cold climates on heat and cold; though sometimes the depredations of insects, such as locusts, or of blights, may be the cause. [45] Though we give this experiment, we admit that little dependence can be placed upon a single fact. The trees must have been different in variety, and probably in sex, both of which may occasion a discrepancy. [46] The time the weight is in suspension, must be attended to. A beam will support a much greater weight during a minute than during an hour; and two beams may be found, the one capable of supporting the greatest weight during a minute, and the other the greatest during an hour. [47] We shall not here introduce the interminable discussion of dry-rot, as it remains to be proved that moderately fast grown young timber is at all more liable to dry-rot than small-growthed old, provided the sap-wood be entirely removed.