GENERAL PR A CTICE PRl \\I\G. 



167 



as will bo noticed beneath Fig. 39 on the right, are strong and long, with compara- 

 tively few fibres. This is a natural sequence of the rampant growth. To cause the 

 formation of fruit instead of wood buds the strong roots must be cut back, as indicated, 

 to cause them to 

 form fibres near the 

 surface, and the 

 growth will then be 

 shorter and fruitful 

 in character. 



So deep-rooted 

 are the misconcep- 

 tions on the subject 

 of pruning, and so 

 prone are inex- 

 perienced or ill- 

 taught persons to 

 allow fruit trees to 

 grow practically un- 

 checked throughout 

 the summer and 

 prune them closely 

 in winter, that it is 

 essential to show 

 with still greater 

 clearness the falsity 

 of the practice. 

 With this object 

 the effects of sum- 

 mer and winter 

 pruning are pre- 

 sented in a manner that, it is hoped, can scarcely fail to be understood. The right side 

 of the young apple tree (Fig. 40) represents a thicket of summer shoots and leaves 

 which, as may be seen below, have their effect in invigorated roots. It is impossible 

 that blossom buds can form on growths from which light and air are so effectively 



Fig. 40. PRUNING. RESULTS OF PRACTICE. 



