CULTURE OF FRUIT TREES. 325 



branches at the base to within twelve or fifteen inches of 

 the stem, and shorter as they advance upwards, so that 

 those at the top will be cut to four or six inches. This 

 will preserve the pyramidal form. 



It may appear unnecessary to cut back the stem, but 

 we find when this is not done it is almost impossible to 

 secure an equal growth between the upper and lower 

 parts, because the wood at the top is young, and attracts 

 the sap much more than the wood at the base of the old 

 branches below. For a few years after this renewal the 

 young wood at the top must be kept very closely pruned, 

 to prevent it from absorbing more than its due proportion 

 of the sap. When growth commences on trees thus cut 

 back, a large number of shoots will be produced. Amongst 

 those on the stem, a strong and well-placed one must be 

 selected for a leader, and its growth favored by checking 

 those around it. Leaders for each of the lateral branches 

 must be selected and encouraged in the same way. The 

 future management will be similar to that described for 

 the formation of young trees. We have succeeded well 

 with a large number of trees thus treated. Where the 

 soil is defective, it must be improved and renewed with 

 fresh soil and composts, so that abundant nutriment shall 

 be given to the new growth. 



The second method of renewal referred to is, that of cut- 

 ting back as already described, and grafting each branch. 



The process of regrafting old orchards of standard 

 apple-trees, it is well known, renews their vigor, and re- 

 places old, worn-out, and deformed branches with young 

 and vigorous ones, giving to the entire head a healthy and 

 youthful appearance. In many cases this grafting will 

 be much more successful than simply cutting back, for the 

 cions, being furnished with young and active buds that 

 develop leaves at once, attract the sap from the roots, 

 place it in contact with the atmosphere, and carry on the 

 formative process in all parts of the tree with less inter- 



