130 ORCHARDS. 



mode of checking growth. In highly cultivated gardens, 

 where trees are planted, and the roots have access to the rich 

 soil, an immense crop of branches Y\'ill be produced, and but 

 little, if any, fruit. Root pruning will check such growths 

 most effectually and render the trees fruitful. The operation 

 is performed by digging out a circular trench at a distance of 

 three to six feet from the stem, according to the size of the 

 tree, and cutting all the roots that are encountered or can* be 

 reached. The soil is again thrown back, and the process is 

 completed. If done in August, (perhaps the latter part of 

 July would suit the latitude of Virginia and North Carolina 

 best) the supply of sap will immediately be lessened, the 

 Avood-maturing principle accelerated, and fruit buds formed. 

 The operation has been performed in Spring with but little 

 benefit, bat if done in the Fall, cannot fail in producing 

 the desired results. 



Although much more mio;ht be said, and many o;ood authors 

 quoted, yet we deem this subject sufficiently elucidated for all 

 practical purposes, and shall proceed to the treatment of 

 over-bearing trees, and a few remarks on "Tap Roots." 



TAP ROOTS. 



L. S. B., Chicago, 111., in a recent number of the Garden- 

 ers Monthly^ remarking on roots, says: "I was interested 

 in what you say about tap roots. You seem to place little 

 value on them. I have been led to believe them very essen- 

 tial, and always give my gardener, as my advice, to save the 

 tap roots^ when we are transplanting anything upon our lawn. 

 Was your remark intended to have the weight it seems to 

 bear, or a slip of the pen ? I have read so often of the great 

 value of tap roots that I want to be sure I understand you. 

 It would seem as if nature would hardly make them, if they 

 were of no use." 



(No one disputes this last point — "nature makes everything 

 for some use." Beards are of some use; perhaps to exercise 

 our industry to keep them shaven away. As to tap roots, 

 our correspondent understood us correctly to say that they 

 are not of the slightest service towards the nutrition of the 



