THE SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 389 



the nureerynian increases the tibers on his trees by frequent transplantings or 

 root pruuings. Indeed, it cannot be questioned tliat among fruit and orna- 

 mental trees, root pruning causes an increase of fiber, and this is equivalent to 

 saying that within a given area, the pruned tree obtains jjossession of a larger 

 amount of the fertile elements of the soil. 



Among herbaceous plants, analogy would seem to indicate the same law. 

 The pincliing of plants, in order to tiiicken their manner of growth, is an ordi- 

 nary practice. Through the means of pruning, a straggling, few-limbed plant, 

 may be made bushy and compact. The gardener pinches the ends of his melon 

 or squash vines, as by so doing he increases the number of lateral branches 

 which produce fruit. Under certain circumstances, tlic farmer treads or 

 crushes down or mows his grain-field, in order to thicken and strengthen the 

 growth. Thus Loudon : "It [rolling] is likewise found beneficial to the young 

 crops in the early spring, in various instances." And Threr recommends cut- 

 ting the tops of the plants, or turning sheep on the cornfields in April, where 

 the soil is very fertile, and the wheat plants, which before appeared to be few and 

 far between, suddenly shoot into vigorous vegetation. 



We do not so often think that the pruning of the roots of these plants, also, 

 may increase the fibrils in the area adjacent to the cutting, and produce for the 

 plant a greater command over the resources of a given plot of soil. In exam- 

 ining the roots of the corn plant, I have found instances of the branching of 

 the roots in the presence of obstruction. The root of the wheat plant has pri- 

 mary, secondary, and later systems of roots, and divides when brought against 

 an obstruction, in the same manner as would the root of a tree. 



Eoot-pruning is employed to increase the fruitfuluess of trees. The dahlia 

 in the garden, au herbaceous plant, is made to produce more abundant bloom, 

 by the trimming of its roots. E. L. Stuetevant. 



PROTECTION. 



EVERGREEN BOUGHS FOR PROTECTION. 



In the case of the strawberry-bed there are reasons against an unctuous win- 

 ter mulch from the barnyard, since the manure may convey weed and grass 

 seed ; nor, indeed, does the strawberry like any such heavy, close blanketing as 

 shall be impervious to free admission of air. The plants of this crop want 

 breathing space even in winter, else they w^ould not have been provided with 

 leaves that outlast the coldest weather. Loose-lying pine needles, or forest 

 leaves or clean straw make the best protection ; and manure is best applied in 

 shape of some concentrated fertilizer mixed with fine mould early in the spring. 

 What we have said about the strawberry suggests the further remark that win- 

 ter protection for all plants and shrubs that carry their leaves throughout the 

 year, is best given by a covering that affords free access of air. 



The English ivy, the rhododendrons, or a half-hardy evergreen of the conif- 

 erous tribe, are more safely guarded by a protection that afl:ords filtration to 



