TRANSPLANTING STOCKS. 



141 



4th. Pruning, or Dressing Stocks. The objects always 

 in view, in performing this operation, are to remove in- 

 jured or broken roots ; to reduce the tap-root, that it may 



produce laterals ; 

 to reduce the 

 stems to a proper 

 proportion with 

 the roots, and put 

 them in a condi- 

 tion that will in- 

 sure a vigorous 

 growth. 



Seedlings, taken 

 from the seed-bed, 

 have always a 

 long tap-root, with 

 few or no laterals ; 

 and as trees with 

 such roots are un- 

 fit for safe trans- 

 plantation, it is 

 necessary to take 

 measures to 

 change their char- 

 acter. We there- 

 fore remove the 

 small tapering 

 portion of the 

 root, as at fig. 8G, 

 A, and this in- 

 the produc- 

 tion of lateral or 

 rcots, 



near the surface 

 of the ground. The pear roots, especially, are inclined 

 more to descend in a straight line than to spread ; and 



Figs. 86 and 87. SEEDLING STOCKS AND 

 CUTTINGS. 



Fig. 86, a seedling stock, one year's growth, as it 

 comes from the seed-bed ; the line at A shows the 

 shortening of the tap-root ; that at J5, the shortening . 

 of the stem before replanting. Fig. 87, a quince cut 

 ting ; the cross lines on the stem and roots indicate spreading 

 the pruning before replanting. 



