142 THE PEAK UPON THE QUINCE STOCK. 



transplanting and root pruning better, and also con- 

 tinue much longer its growth and fruiting. • 



Third. The quince root has so governed the growth 

 of the tree, that it is much less difficult to reduce it 

 to pyramidal shape ; for it has been proved bj expe- 

 rience, that the character of the roots determines that 

 of the top. Long, straggling roots, not provided with 

 fibres, are productive of long, vigorous, and unmanage- 

 able shoots, destitute of lateral branches. A long 

 tap-root sends up a vigorous leader, while the fibrous 

 quince roots provide the tree with fruit-spurs and 

 short, stout branches. The Pear on a pear stock is 

 not easily reduced to a pyramidal shape after the 

 first year, without root pruning, for when the leader 

 is pruned, the terminal bud shoots with great vigor, 

 and another leader is formed while the lower branches 

 continue weak and feeble. 



Fourth. Most of the varieties which are superior 

 in size and flavor on the Quince, or which unite firmly 

 with it, and prove well adapted to it, as the Duchesse 

 d'Angouleme and Louise Bonne de Jersey, seldom 

 throw out roots from the pear wood. In those 

 varieties which throw out pear roots, it has been 

 seen that the latter are more fibrous than upon 

 seedlings. This is, doubtless, the result of the more 

 refined and cultivated condition of the grafted wood, 

 which, instead of the rank characteristic of a seedling, 

 makes the clean, stocky shoots of a more highly 

 developed tree. So the finer varieties of pears, 

 instead of the long naked roots of the wildling, pro- 

 vide themselves with fibrous radicles better fitted to 

 furnish tliem their proper food. 



