THE LEADER RENEWS ITSELF 151 



are varieties of pears. Arbitrary ideals are use- 

 ful only when it is desired to sacrifice other 

 considerations to mere form and looks. (See 

 Chapter VI.) They are chiefly useful in the 

 growing of plants for certain ornamental effects 

 and when it is necessary, because of lack of 

 space, or uncongenial climate, or growing under 

 glass to train to some definite form. It is well 

 to remember that mere handsomeness or comeli- 

 ness of the plant is unimportant in fruit-growing. 

 On this point, A. J. Downing writes as follows: 

 "Every fruit tree, grown in the open orchard or 

 garden as a common standard, should be allowed 

 to take its natural form, the whole efforts of the 

 pruner going no further than to take out all 

 weak and crowded branches." 



One cannot visit a forest without seeing that 

 pruned and injured trees tend to regain their for- 

 mal stature. Observe how the leader was re- 

 newed in Fig. 113, a tree which was once broken 

 over. The new leader, which sprung from the 

 declined trunk, now continues the bole of the 

 tree. In Fig. 114 several leaders have started from 

 the prostrate trunks, each one simulating the 

 upward growth of the original tree. These re- 

 marks will also apply to the roots. It is the com- 

 monest notion that a tap-root should not be cut, 

 else the plant will be shallow -rooted; but a new 

 tap or, what may be better, two or three tap- 

 roots arises from the old (from a, Fig. 115). The 



