272 AMERICAN HUSBANDRY. 



In pruning or training to induce a fruit-bearing 

 habit, the object is to check the uninterrupted, and, 

 we may say, natural descent of the elaborated sap 

 to the root, by encouraging a horizontal instead of 

 an upright growth of the branches when the tree ap- 

 proaches the bearing age. This causes a stricture 

 in the descending sap-vessels at the bifurcation or 

 junction of the branches with the stem, and a conse- 

 quent accumulation of elaborated sap in the branch- 

 es, to generate fruit-buds and to swell the fruit. 

 The same object is sometimes, though injudicious- 

 ly, effected by cutting out a narrow circle of bark, 

 or by ligatures, to prevent the descent of the elabo- 

 rated sap. Hence the upright shoot is often cut 

 out, particularly in the apple-tree, and the branches 

 are trained horizontally, diagonally, or in a half-in- 

 verted position, as on walls, espaliers, and in the en 

 queneille, or distaff form of training. These opera- 

 tions have also a tendency to improve the quality of 

 the fruit, by giving it a better exposure to the kind 

 influences of the sun, air, and light, all essential to 

 its due maturity and high flavour. Nature provides 

 for the propagation of the species by producing per- 

 fect seed, leaving to. art the labour and contrivance 

 of enlarging and enriching the pulp or fruit. All 

 fruits may be improved from their natural state by 

 artificial culture, though nothing can be added there 

 by to the intrinsic value of the seed or the natural 

 duration of the tree. The seeds of the wild crab or 

 wild pear are as good to sow for stocks to graft or 

 bud upon, as the seeds of the cultivated varieties of 

 these fruits ; and, indeed, according to Dr. Van 

 Mons's theory, which his practice seems to have 

 confirmed, they are the best from which to start 

 new varieties. 



Prune, therefore, when necessary to improve 

 timber; prime for ornament; prune to improve the 

 fruit ; but do not prune in the hope of accelerating 

 jjrowth or of prolonging life. And, in all your pru- 



