Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1889-10-18
4 study in sap Circulation aud Tree
Growth.

While calling ON MIR II f. smith some
time since at his farm in Waterbury, VT,
was shown a section of an aromatic birch
from which the bark had been girdled 10y
rat, or mice during the previous winter.
At the time Mr. Smith found it the tree
was IN apparent full vigor but much larger
above than below the place where the bark
had been removed After Mr. Smith and
In, neighhor Timothy Wheeler, who has
given special attention to the movement of
sap in trees, had studied its structure, the
section was sent to me for further examn
alton | find the girdled section appears to
have been dead for some time the outer
ring of sup-Wood being dry and weather
stained Below the girdling the stick meas
ured one and half inches III diameter,
while above 1t is plump two inches through,
and still more lust above the injury, where
the bark has made large ring of callous
or corky growth Both above and below
the girdhng live branches with leaves have
aided the growth of each portion.
Illustrations of similar growths are shown
IN the Massachusetts agricultural report
for 1874. page 2O4 in President Clark s
lecture on plant growth. Here are five
sections of lilac bushes, around which cop
per wires had been fastened to cut off the
flow of sap. During the first summer Il
little SAP was returned under the wire, so
that "a thin growth of new wood was made
below. hut not nearly as much as above
The second year, the wire having become
so frightened 10y the growth of the stem
that no sap could return beneath the bark
no growth was made, except above the
wire The third wear the entire stem died
soon after the usual time for leating out.
This shows. As claimed by President
Clark, that although the sap of trees rise.
IN spring through the heart wood of the
tree it can only return to add to the tree
growth through the outer or albumen layer
just beneath the bark
Trees grow in size 10y building ON annual
additions To the circumference. making tn,
rings 10y which their age may be determ
med or closely estimated and the materia
Is fitted for its Use 10y the leaves which arr
Co trees what the digestive apparatus is t,
animals, J once had an apple tree strip
/ ped of Its bark IN winter 10y calves. Tn,
/ following summer 1t made nearly its usua
growth of leaves and bore "a moderate crol
of fruit the bare trunk in the meantim,
/ becoming considerably checked and season
/ rd uu the surface The second summer
/ the tree leafed and remained green unit
/ lut autumn. NltN Ut lttallit NIN. htd.
/ wood throughout
In the volume previously referred to is
drawing of "a section of "a branch with sev
/ erul ring, OF bark removed On the ring
1 left. some have buds " hile others are with
/ out them The latter made no growth dur
/ ,ug the summer becausr there were u,
leaves connected with them To- furnsi
growth material Other section, haviu.
buds attached made considerable growth
| particularly AT the lower margin, givini
the section much the appearance OF tn
stick received from Mr. Smith
If ring of bark be removed from
tree late in June. when the new growth j
beginning to form, 1t Is possible for tn
tree to repair itself with scarcely any inju
rs but at other times in the year it wi
cause death IN two years or less. tiirdln
ees or branches that are OF no special va
ne will afford an interesting study to youn
persons interested in vegetable growth an
the movement of sap Cor y. l. FdImri