PROFUSION OF SAP. 463 



This is sometimes constitutional, but oftener the 

 result of cultivation. It becomes a disease when 

 all the energies of the tree are directed to vigor, 

 rendering the tree partially or wholly barren. It 

 may be general ; or it may be confined to a joart of 

 the tree, which is robbing the remainder by the pro- 

 duction of gourmands, or watery shoots. Or it may 

 result from the growth of suckers from adventitious 

 shoots at the base of the tree ; perhaps from the 

 wild stock in which the scion or bud were inserted. 

 When it is general, it may be produced by excessive 

 manuring or by injudicious pruning. Profusion of 

 sap seldom results from the former of these causes 

 in the eastern part of this country, because the soil 

 is of so poor a quality ; but it frequently occurs in 

 the fertile soils of the West. 



As was remarked in the chapter upon pruning, a 

 very severe cutting-back in the spring leaves the 

 roots much stronger than the top. Therefore, as in 

 this case, the roots are capable of supporting a much 

 larger area of foliage than will remain to be supj^lied 

 with sap after such a severe pruning. In the 

 endeavor to restore the equilibrium, it will push all 

 the remaining buds with great vigor ; and even the 

 fruitrbuds may be transformed, and throw shoots. 

 Continuance of severe pruning of such trees will 

 cause the disease to become more and more settled. 

 The remedy is vigorous summer pinching, and root- 

 pruning. These are described in the chapter upon 

 " Pruning and Training." 



