36 THE ORCHARD AKD FRUIT GARDEN, 



young apple tree forced into premature productiveness 

 by careless neglect of removing the ligatures that tied 

 the graft. [Root-pruning beneficially impedes a too 

 luxuriant growth by diminishing the quantity of sap 

 in the tree, from diminishing the quantity of food 

 with which it is supplied. It is especially good for 

 rendering a tree productive which is barren from an 

 over-luxuriant growth, i. 0., from all the strength of the 

 tree running to leaf, and for retaining a dwarf habit of 

 growth, so suitable for keeping trees within due limits 

 for easy culture, and well adapted to circumscribed 

 space. Small trees are particularly convenient for 

 pruning, for thinning, and gathering the fruit, for the 

 comparative ease with which they can be suited with 

 the soil most fit for them, whatever that of the garden 

 they grow in may be, and the ease with which such 

 trees can be shifted or removed at any time, or almost 

 at any age. 



This reduction of the luxuriance of the tree by 

 curtailing the luxuriance of the root, may be effected 

 by taking up the trees, pruning the roots, and putting 

 them in again, or by cutting away a portion of the 

 roots without further disturbing the tree. It is 

 reckoned that trees of a rampant habit of growth 

 may with advantage be reduced in root to the extent of 

 one-sixth, those of medium habit one-fourth, and those 

 of delicate habit a third. 



The extremities of the roots, and roots inclined 

 to shoot perpendicularly downwards, only should be 

 pruned, and care must be taken not to injure the 

 surface roots : these 'should, on the contrary, be en- 

 couraged to keep near the surface by the application of 

 manure occasionally. 



Our celebrated cultivator of fruit trees, Mr. Rivers, 

 of Sawbridgeworth, is a great advocate of root-pruning, 

 and recommends it for trees of cordon and pyramidal 

 training, and for all dwarfs. 



Some growers recommend lifting or removing trees 

 every two years, if they grow in a very rich soil ; but 

 whatever may be said in favour of root-pruning by 



