66 TKANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



in length. We do not think that the phmt can meet this forced 

 promise, so we cut back tlie matured ))ranches to thirty inches, and 

 if we count the buds we will find that we have the original promise 

 of 1(H) bushels ])er acre, with many of the implied conditions met. 

 All buds are within an atmospheric belt of three feet from the sur- 

 face of the earth, giving the greatest amount of moisture and protec- 

 tion from strong winds. We have a bush instead of a vine to hold 

 up the weight of fruit, and each bud has a short sap-line to the base 

 of supply. Each branch is well developed and of sufficient thickness 

 to protect it from the ordinarily dry and cold atmosphere of winter, 

 and the ordinarily dry winds of summer. 



Second MrfJiod. — This is to pinch oft' the terminal buds of the 

 laterals when they have reached two feet in length, which may occur 

 about the first week in July. The physical effect is to change about 

 three of the auxiliaries nearest the end of the branch to terminal 

 buds, which start out, making secondary branches. As a rule, not 

 more than three buds will start ; the others remain as possible fruit 

 buds, as if nature feared the experiment of farther multiplying of 

 branches and fruit buds. The branches bend over and seek the 

 ground, which they may reach in a season favorable to growth of 

 wood. After counting the buds on one of these branches of an av- 

 erage length, and multiplying the number, I find in roiind numbers 

 a promise of 800 bushels per acre. A funny promise, but it is there, 

 like rosebuds on a winter bonnet. But these branches are to be cut 

 back, when the wood is matured, to within one foot of the main 

 branch, from where they started. Now we will look at the plant as 

 it stands ready to unfold its leaf and bloom. The plant contains 

 four stocks, sixteen primary branches, and forty-eight secondary 

 branches. Count the buds on the secondary branches alone, and we 

 have a promise of 200 bushels. Is this reliable? The promise is on 

 forty-eight feet of branch not quite a quarter of an inch thick at 

 the thickest place holding a bud. The buds are very close together. 

 The sap-line is lengthened and made difficult by an angle forty-eight 

 times repeated. The cold and dry winters may kill back to the main 

 branch ; if not, the dry summer may prevent ripening of the fruit. 

 Should the small branches be killed during the winter, the reserve 

 buds on the main branches will fruit, otherwise they will not, as a 

 rule. This is a beautiful provision on the part of nature against ac- 

 cident and overreaching. 



Can any considerable amount of the great promise in this second 

 method be realized ? Yes, if everything is favorable. An open and 

 dark winter, an early or long spring, warming gradually into a damp 

 summer, a yield of one hundred and twenty bushels maybe expected. 

 A much larger yield has been reached on a few rows of plants. But 

 the effect upon the plant is hurtful. The new stock is behind time 

 in reaching eighteen inches and looks feeble. It is better not to 

 tip it, as there is not enough vitality to make strong branches. It 



