8 CORDON TRAINING. 



When, then, we perceive a commencement of this want of 

 due vigor in any branch, we must hasten to remedy it. 

 There are various ways of obtaining this object, but I refrain 

 at present from mentioning many of them. One excellent 

 plan is to allow a larf^er )iumber of leaves on a weak branch 

 than on a strong one. The reason for this has been stated 

 above. The leaves are the lungs of the tree, and attract and 

 modify the sap, which is little altered till it reaches the leaves. 

 When it does reach them, it ceases to be sap, properly so 

 called; it becomes the "proper juice." Discharged into the 

 bark, it is thence carried, by cellular channels, throughout 

 the tree. 



From this " proper juice," that is, converted sap, the fruit 

 attracts what it needs to produce flavor. The more the tree 

 secretes the better. Pruning and training here play a great 

 part. By removing a great portion of the leaves on a vigorous 

 branch (cutting them in two is the best), and by allowing as 

 many as possible on a weak branch, we equalize both. Re- 

 moval of some of the leaves produces flavor in the fruit. 

 But we speak hero, chiefly, of the growth of the tree, and its 

 regulation. Another method of strengthening a weak branch 

 is to untie it from the wall, and allow it to swing loosely in 

 the free play of sun and air on all its sides, — one, at least, 

 of which would otherwise receive nothing. Of course, then, 

 to tie down a branch to the tree has a contrary effect, and the 

 more we approach the horizontal position, not to speak of the 

 extreme method of bending it downwards altogether, the 

 more the branch is checked in its development outwards. So, 

 if it is desired to lengthen a branch, it must be directed up- 

 wards; and a branch tied, for a season, vertically, and exposed 

 at the same time, in wall trees, to the free action of hght and 

 air, will grow much more rapidly than another tied to the 

 wall, and carried into a horizontal line. This is a useful 

 maxim to remember, because it may be so readily applied in 

 nearly every case that can occur. 



If we wish to give a temporary check to a too vigorous 

 branch, we must diminish the number of leaf-buds on it, and 



