Arizona republican., 1911-02-10
PROVED BY EXPERIMENT
J. H. Mitchell Offers to the
World a Bit of Valuable
knowledge the Scientists
of the Ages Have Vainly
Sought to Discover.

]. II. Mitchell of this city has dis
covered and is prepared to demonstrate
a fact in respect of plant life and
growth that the scientists of the world
have hitherto- sought diligently for and
in vain, namely what causes the pro-
cess of the flow of sap in trees 10
great height, when il is known that
suction. or capillary attraction VIII
carry the sap only thirty-three leel-
The chief Importance of this discovery
| is that with a knowledge OF Iacts IL
demonstrates, tree planters OF the lu-
ture will less frequently spend time
and money in planting trees in locah-
ties where there is small chance lot
them to grow, much less thrive. y
minor advantage is that if one desired
to raise. tree by artificial protection
| in an unnatural climate, with this IN
formation properly applied. he viii
have a better knowledge of what TO do
for the protection of the tree.
The discovery referred to, as eX-
planned to a Republican reporter by MI.
Mitchell last night, is merely that the
sap. above a certain point at least, is
drawn from the ground by process
of pumping, the branches of the trees
supplying the motive power As the
swinging of ones arm pumps the blood
from the heart to that member, giving
more rapid circulation, so the constant
swaying of the branches of the trees
pumps the sap from the roots. That
means that the presence or absence of
wind in any locality where a tree is
he N
its successful growth than has the mat
ter of altitude or temperature, of course
within reasonable limitations, for it Is
not likely that even Mr.. Mitchell could
make cocoanut tree grow at the north
pole. even if he could regulate the wind.
Mr. MitchelPs study has shown one
very plausible reason why the foliage
of southern ATTITUDES is more luXuriant
and the leaves larger than in the north
ern ATTITUDES, and that is merely be-
cause the winds are less constant and
severe The pumps are working dur
ing longer seasons and working just
fast enough to supply the SAP for the
luxuriant foliage. Remove the same
plant to the north land and it would
pump itself to death. Trees not only
pump sap but store it to an extent for
later use, says Mr.. Mitchell, ard trees
that get too much wind often pump
themselves to death, being found dead
at the roots long. before life is ex-
tinct in the branches.
The growing importance of forest
preservation makes the discovery an
important one, if demonstrated and ap-
piled as it can and should be, accord
i,... L., all ha x~aInt
able guide to forestry experts, both Of
fetal and private, in the planting of
large areas by making their work more
effective. They will know where to
plant. how to plant and what to plant,
with a larger assurance of rapid
growth and full stand.
Having the proof of his discovery. by
practical experimentation covering a
period of twenty years since he began
his study, and meeting a friend of Gift
ford Pinchot, perhaps the worlds most
notable forester, Mr.. Mitchell was in
duced to write Mr.. PinchOt regarding
his discovery. He received a reply
from Overton W. Price, treasurer of the
National Conservation association, ac-
knowledging the receipt of the letter
during Mr.. Pinchot's absence, and in
dicating the very deep interest taken in
Mr.. Mitchelrs work by Mr.. Price and
advising subsequent steps to take in
placing the matter before the world.
Mr.. Mitchell is now engaged in the
insurance business in Arizona, but for
a great many years was a landscape
architect and florist. He was for a
long time in the employ of Senator
w. A. Clark and at his direction laid
out the Columbia Gardens in Butte,
where he had an excellent opportunity
to experiment in connection with these
studies. as Butte is 5000 feet high and
very windy. He has no notion of try
ing to get five cent piece out of his
discovery. He says it is a thing that
Darwin, Huxley and Aggasiz, as well
as an army of less notable men, have
sought for in vain and the honor of
having discovered it is all the reward
he wants. He would rather know that
he has found something that will be
worth while to all mankind for all time
to come. than to have found a dozen
north poles. He has written a quite
exhaustive treatise on his discovery and
the results OF his experiments, and in
line with the advice given him he will
submit it to the forestry service and to
the world in general His letter to Mr.
Pinchot, which is herewith reproduced,
together with the answer. merely men,
tons in brief outline how he was led
to his discovery: