554 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



yoiing wood will then be sufficiently matured to bend, and many of the most 

 forward buds will form short fruit spurs, and bloom the following spring. Trees 

 and plants of all kinds can be incited to flower and fruit, no matter how luxu- 

 riant their growth, by careful observance of the bending process. Horizontal 

 training is a modification of this system, and is a well-known method of en- 

 couraging fruitfulness. 



3. BY PRUNING THE UOOTS, 



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 mode of checking growth. In highly cultivated gardens, 

 where trees are planted, and the roots hS-ve access to the rich soil, an immense 

 crop of branches will be produced, but little, if any, fruit. Root-pruning will 

 check such growths most effectually and render the trees fruitful. The op- 

 eration is perfo lined by digging out a circular trench at a distance of from 

 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 the supply of sap will 

 immediately be lessened, the wood-maturing principle accelerated, and fruit 

 buds formed. The operation has been performed in spring with but little 

 benefit, but if done in the fall cannot fail in producing the desired results. 



Root-pruning has successfully been applied to young evergreens that, in 

 consequence of growing late in fall, are liable to have the points of shoots in- 

 jured by early frost. When growth is stopped by root-pruning the shoots ma- 

 ture sufficiently to withstand the winter without being injured. A few years 

 of such treatment when the plant is young is found sufficient, as the specimen 

 will att^ain hardihood with age. 



4. BY RINGING THE BRANCHES. 



This operation is performed by removing a ring of the bark from a branch, 

 so as to arrest circulation. This, however, is done with a view to hastening 

 the ripening process of fruit, and has long been practiced, particularly on the 

 grape-vine. It is, however, of doubtful utility, as the branch beyond the point 

 of operation is destroyed. It has the effect of not only hastening the ripening, 

 but the fruit will be somewhat increased in size. Grapes produced in this 

 manner are easily recognized by their thick skins and coarse texture of the 

 fruit. 



5. BY LIMITING ROOT GROWTH. 



The most satisfactory application of the principle is that of restricting the 

 growth by confining the roots in pots, boxes, or other similar conveniences, as 

 is well exemplified by the great crops produced on fruit treets in pots. Flo- 

 rists are also alive to the fact that their flowering plants will blossom most 

 profusely when the pots become well filled with roots. 



GENERAL REMARKS. 



The mechanical condition of the soil is of more importance in fruit culture 

 than its chemical constitution. In its preparation, therefore, the aim should 

 be to secure good depth with perfect drainage, and avoid heavy dressings of 

 rich manures. The object is to maintain a moderately luxuriant growth with 

 early and thorough maturity in the wood, and this can be best attained in 

 comparatively poor soils. 



KEEPING GRASS LAWNS. 



To have a perfect lawn it is absolutely necessary to have it properly laid 

 down at the outset. This, however, does not consist so much in enriching the 

 e,6i\ as in rendering it friable and porous by draining, subsoiling, and pulverizing. 



