CAUSES OF FRUITFULNESS. 93 



flowing back or downwards, and consequently induces their 

 accumulation, to the formation of flower buds. 4. Bending 

 the branches downwards, causing a similar accumulation with 

 a like result. 5. Grafting on dissimilar stocks, which pre- 

 vents a free flow of sap and juices at the point of junction. 



1. Suffering grass to grow among trees, though benefi- 

 cial in some very rare instances, is not on the whole advi- 

 sable. The loss in the quality of the fruit is too great, and 

 is not balanced by the advantages. The complaint of un- 

 fruitfulness has been frequently applied to the pear ; but a 

 selection of those sorts which bear while yet very young, 

 entirely obviates the difficulty. 



2. Pruning the roots. This has been tried to a very limited 

 extent only. Its utility may therefore be doubted under or- 

 dinary circumstances, for long continued practice. For 

 such varieties, however, as incline to unproductiveness, and 

 in the deep and highly manured soils of the most fertile gar- 

 dens, it has proved eminently successful. Its tendency is 

 to render trees more dwarfish, and for this reason it may be 

 used to advantage upon such varieties of the pear as cannot 

 be worked upon the quince, where the object is to produce 

 early fruitfulness in connection with diminutive growth. It 

 should be attempted, however, in no case, except in con- 

 nexion with a deep, rich soil, and with the best cultivation. 



There is no doubt that it is better suited to a northern, 

 moist climate, such as that of England, than to the hotter 

 and drier portions of the United States. It is usually per- 

 formed with a spade, ground sharp, and thrust down through 

 the soil at a suitable distance from the tree. 



3. Ringing the branches is effected by taking out a narrow 

 ring of bark, extending round the branch. By obstructing 

 the downward descent of the juices, and by their accu- 

 mulation above the ring, it not only causes fruitfulness, but 

 frequently alters the appearance and quality of the fruit. 

 In some cases, it has doubled the size ; in others it has 

 brightened the colors. In the Court Pendu apple, the colors 

 are changed from green and dull red, to brilliant yellow and 

 scarlet. But Lindley says, " If performed extensively upon 

 a tree, it is apt, if not to kill it, to render it incurably un- 

 healthy ; for if the rings are not sufficiently wide to cut off 

 all communication between the upper and lower lips of the 



