* 13 



cousequently the branch died soon after starting growth in the 



spring. 

 4th. All showed a marked increase in frnitfulness over those not 



girdled. 

 5th. Little difference was observed in the etfect of the girdling made 



at different times or in the various widths of the ring of bark 



taken out. 



Conclusion. 



No definite conclusion can be made at this time as to the effect of 

 this treatment upon the permaneut health of the tree. Observations 

 for many years alone can determine the point. 



Reasoning from analogy and from the known laws of plant growth 

 we can only advise this treatment upon trees that are planted too 

 closely and a part of which must be removed after a time to allow 

 the full development of others, or those in very rich moist soil which 

 are long coming into bearing. 



GIRDLING THE GRAPE VINE TO HASTEN RIPENING OF 

 THE FRUIT. 



Cutting rings of bark from the canes of the grape vine to hasten 

 the time of ripening has been practiced more or less for many years 

 to prepare large specimens for exhibition, but only for the few years 

 past has it been practiced to hasten the crop for niai'ket. 



In a series of experiments made in the college vineyard in 1877 

 and 1878, and recorded in the Report of the Board of Agriculture of 

 Mass. for 1878 and 1879, it was found that removing a ring of bark 

 early in July, 1-4 of an inch wide, resulted in hastening the time of 

 ripening from one to two weeks. 



It was also concluded from very careful tests made at the time 

 that the increased size and early maturity ivas not at the exjiense of 

 the quality, and that as far as could be determined at that time, and 

 which further observations have confirmed, that the vines are not 

 materially injured by the girdling. 



Girdling has been practised in the college vineyard more or less 

 every year since with favorable results ; the canes that are to be cut 

 away at the fall pruning only have been girdled, to avoid any possi- 

 bility of injury to vine or root from stopping the downward flow of 

 sap by the girdle. 



Some seasons the results of this practice have been more marked 



