ROOT -PRUNING 229 



of trees to pyramids, cordons, 011 espaliers, and 

 the like (see Chapter VI.). By cutting the roots, 

 they are kept within a prescribed area, and do not 

 interfere with other plants. The tops of the plants 

 are thereby checked of exuberant growth, and are 

 more manageable on walls and trellises. In 

 Europe, these small bearing trees are often taken 

 up and replanted, in order to keep them within 

 bounds. In the well tilled gardens, and in cool 

 and moist climates, it is often thought to be de- 

 sirable to keep the roots near the surface ; but in 

 American orchard conditions it is desirable that 

 the roots strike deep. 



In the large -area or field conditions under 

 which American fruits are grown, root -pruning 

 is rarely necessary or even useful. Under such 

 conditions, the plant takes its natural habit and 

 reaches its normal stature, and fruit -bearing comes 

 naturally with the maturity of the plant ; or, if 

 fruit -bearing does not come,, the fundamental 

 treatment lies in correcting faults of tillage, soil, 

 varieties, or other cardinal matters. In our 

 country, root -pruning may be associated with 

 ringing or girdling, and such other special opera- 

 tions which may be used experimentally now and 

 then, when other means have failed. It is of 

 special rather than of general importance. 



The European books and periodicals contain 

 many detailed instructions for root -pruning, and 

 to these the reader should go if he desires ex- 



