ORCHARDS. • 129 



spurs from which the fruit proceeds the too abundant flow of 

 their juices, must be checked by the following method : The 

 tops of most of the shoots are to be pruned off in August, the 

 bark perpendicularly slitted in diff"erent places, and the trunk 

 cut about one-third through with a saw, but so as not to injure 

 the heart. For the first year, or two, after this experiment, 

 the tree will not bear more fruit than usual, but, afterwards, its 

 production will be adequate to every expectation. 



From this operation, (especially in the lower Tide-water 

 district) a still farther benefit may be derived. When there 

 is a superabundance of moisture, the trees are liable to be 

 covered with moss, which affords shelter for caterpillars 

 and other insects ; but this process in a great measure cures 

 it, especially if the moss is carefully scrubbed off, or rubbed 

 with a coarse, wet cloth, or nibbed when the trees are wet 

 after a rain. 



The pruning of the tops diverts the channel of circulation, 

 and accelerates the growth of the fruit-bearing shoots ; while 

 the cutting of the trunk, across, moderates the rise of nour- 

 ishment, or sap. Thus the sawed part will overgrow in so 

 complete a manner, that it cannot be discerned except from 

 the freshness of its bark. This expedient we have tried on a 

 Juneating tree, some twenty or twenty-five years old, well 

 grown and vigorous, which never bore more than a dozen or 

 two of apples in any year. It grows in a somewhat slaty soil, 

 and has been tolerably well attended to the most of the time. 

 The operations were performed in 1867, and in 1869, no 

 results. We shall expect an increase of fruit this season, 1870.* 



The following remarks on ^^ Root Pruning to induce Fruit- 

 fuhiess," we copy from that excellent w^ork, " The Rural 

 Annual and Horticultural Directory:'' Although a similar 

 mode has just been described, yet this is so simple and so 

 easily performed, we deem it best for ordinary practice. 



" When a tree has reached a fruit-bearing size, and shows 

 no symptoms of a fruit bearing disposition, but instead, 

 throws out vigorous branches, root pruning is a very efficacious 



*As expected, this tree bore a fair crop of excellent fruit this season ^ 



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