TRAINING. 57 



formit J cannot possibly be in accordance with nature. 

 The enlightened cultivator will employ. various forms, 

 and will determine for himself which is the most appro- 

 priate, not only for every species, but even for each par- 

 ticular variety of fruit-tree. By attentive observation, 

 and rational experiment, more knowledge in this depart- 

 -jment may be attained in a few years than by a whole 

 life spent in routine practice. 



As supplementary to the preceding remarks on train- 

 ing, some of the expedients for inducing a state of fruit- 

 fulness in trees may be mentioned. Of these, the most 

 common is root-pruning, or the cutting back of the roots 

 to within three or four feet of the stem ; an operation 

 which is generally found efficacious when barrenness 

 proceeds from over-luxuriance and too copious a supply 

 of sap. Another is, the lifting up of the roots care- 

 fully, spreading them out on the surface, and covering 

 them, with a layer of fresh soil, forming a slight mound, 

 at the same time all naked or fibreless roots being cut 

 out. To attain the same end, recourse is sometimes had 

 to ringing the branches or stem, that is, removing a 

 narrow portion of the bark, so as to produce the appear- 

 ance of an annular incision. The trees, it is said, are 

 thereby not only rendered productive, but the quality of 

 the fruit is at the same time apparently improved. The 

 advantage is considered as depending on the obstruction 

 given to the descent of the sap, and it being thus more 

 copiously afforded, in its elaborated state, for the supply 

 of the buds. The ring should therefore be made in 

 spring, and of such a width that the bark may remain 

 separated for the season. It ought to be observed, 

 however, that none of the stoned fruit-trees are bene- 

 fited by ringing. Analogous to this practice is decor- 

 6 



