STATE HOETICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 103 



habit of growth, could be kept in health by a moderate shortening of the roots; while 

 trees which continue branch and leaf growth to a later period, must be more severely 

 root pruned. Theoretically considered, especially for the South, pruning to secura 

 early maturity of wood growth is wrong; since trees which naturally go to rest early, 

 after they have been a short time inactive, generally cast their leaves and then make a 

 partial second growth, which is injurious or fatal to them. Observation, however, 

 has taught the important lesson that root pruned trees make but one growth the same 

 season. 



When severe top pruning is done, then the roots grow slowly until the balance in the 

 top and roots is again restored . In Uke manner, trees which are deprived of a part of 

 their roots push only a part of their germ branches, these are soon grown. After this 

 branch gi-owth has ceased the leaves continue a long wMle active and change leaf to 

 fruit buds: a large number of buds are so changed. After which, all further gi'owth 

 of the season, if there be any, goes to restore the loss of the roots. 



Trees piimed as I direct, do not again restore the balance between the top and roots 

 before the end of the second season. Hence root pruned pear trees, growing under 

 any conditions in which I have yet observed them, cannot blight imtil the third 

 summer. For this reason, shortening the roots once in two years, in accordance with 

 the rule established by me, will protect the trees from injury by blight. 



Among other advantages gained by root pruning, besides preventing bhght, may be 

 named the following, viz. : 



1st. So tar, root pruned pear trees have invariably resisted leaf blight. 



2nd . Tardy bearing trees , perfect fruit buds the first summer, after their roots 

 have been cut, and produce full crops of fruit the next. 



3d. The size of the fruit is much increased. 



4th. The pears on root pruned trees are smooth-skinned and free from russet 

 patches and bands^ and on ripening, color finely; in this respect rivaling the California 

 pears,' which they also greatly excel in quality . 



5th. Root pruned pear trees, on pear roots, may be dwarfed to abnost any extent 

 desired. 



Cth. Trees of any age after they have been several times root pruned, may be 

 safely transplanted. 



HOW DWARF PEAR TREES ARE CHANGED TO STANTJARDS; AXD HEADS OP A 



I'RACTICAL HEIGHT ARE SECURED- 



Dwarf trees on being transplanted into the orchard, ought to be put so deep that the 

 junction of the stock and graft shall not be less than three or four inches below the 

 surface of the ground. 



Either before or after putting the tree in the ground, raise wholly out of the pear 

 wood, two hps, one on each side of the tree. These lips should be cut so deep that 

 each lip will contain about one-fourth of the wood in the stem or trunk. These lips 

 may be two and a half or three inches long, and to prevent them from again uniting 

 with the stem or trunk, a bit of glass should be crowded into the slit. This done, fill 

 in the earth around the tree. In .June, or later, Axith the formation of the new wood 

 growth, granulations will oeciu' at the lower ends of the slits or lips , and later from 

 these cellular deposits, I'ootlets will appear. 



