176 



THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



roots, mainly emitted from the upper portion of the cut root, as represented in 12. 

 This is the way fruit-tree raisers secure a fibrous root system, and are enabled to 

 produce trees in a bearing state within a few years of the insertion in the stock of the 

 bud or graft. 



The improper cuts on the left (Fig. 44) and the proper cuts on the right are shown 

 in practice in example 13 ; the tap or straight-down root is detached at the junction 

 with it of a side-root, and that ends its career. When the side-roots are weak more 

 of the tap-root must be left, cutting it off transversely as in 14, which results in the 

 emission of roots around the base of the tap-root, as in a cutting. This straight-across 



Fig. 44. ROOT-PKUNING. PRACTICAL EFFECTS. 



cut is the only suitable one for vertical roots whereby they are made to push fresh fibres 

 more horizontally, as in 15. 



Example 16 shows the wrong cut on the left and the effect of it the roots 

 striking deep ; but on the right the benefit of the upward and the straight-across cut 

 is represented in their resultant roots spreading nearer the surface. In 17 a tree root- 

 pruned, as stated, is clearly marked for disaster on the left, and usefulness on the 

 right. On the left two of the principal roots are split open from whence the first 

 cut was made. The weight of soil and the drawing of the head to the opposite 

 side led to their splitting, but the wrong cutting of the roots at first was the real 

 cause of the disaster. The dark downward roots are of no use and must be cut off 

 at the bars, leaving the roots on the upper side for spreading out. On the right they 



