[22] As we held this plan of forming larch knees, and of bending larch, of considerable importance, we some time ago presented it in manuscript, along with some other matter, to the Highland Society of Scotland. Tiring, however, of the delay of examination, perhaps unavoidable in their official departments, and from some improvements occurring to us during the delay, we requested it back. We now present it under this more convenient form to the Society, and hope they will find the examination or perusal of it printed, not quite so impracticable as when in manuscript. It will afford us pleasure to know that this useful Society approves, and that the members who have opportunity are setting about following our directions. We especially recommend to them to probe the roots of their growing larch, and to lay bare those fitted for knees. [23] The landlord agriculturist is sufficiently aware of the influence of the baring the upper part of the root of turnip, while the plant is young, in extending the future growth of the bulb, and that a dry situation gives most root in proportion to stem. These are general laws in vegetation. There are few observers who have not remarked the very large size which roots have attained when the trees have originally been planted on dikes, and the dike earth removed, leaving the roots bare. Should any person examine the very great difference of thickness between the upper and lower part, from the heart of a root near the bulb, he will at once discover the influence of exposure to the air and freeness from pressure in promoting the swelling. [24] As you ascend the tree the timber deteriorates greatly. {106} PART III. MISCELLANEOUS MATTER CONNECTED WITH NAVAL TIMBER. NURSERIES. Much of the luxuriance and size of timber depending upon the particular variety of the species, upon the treatment of the seed before sowing, and upon the treatment of the young plant, and as this fundamental subject is neither much attended to nor generally understood, we shall take it up _ab initio_.