GARDEN CULTUEE. 175 



that this leaf is of great importance to that particular 

 bunch is certain. In Fig. 62 the connection between 

 the two is shown ; a is a portion of the stem of a bunch 

 of fruit ; c is the leaf-stalk ; the pith is shown in the 

 center, being the broad, dark line running lengthwise of 

 tlie cane ; this occupies more than one-third of its diam- 

 eter, but is divided at d by wood which unites the two 

 sides of the stem. Now whether the sap crosses directly 

 through the young cane from leaf to fruit, or around 

 the pith, is not positively known, but that there is a con- 

 nection between them by which the fruit is benefited, 

 can be readily demonstrated by removing the leaf early 

 in the season. When this is done the fruit is not so per- 

 fect as when it remains. 



This imperfection is not altogether owing to the 

 loss of shade which the leaf afforded, because if the 

 game amount of shade is given the fruit artificially, it is 

 still more or less affected. If the lateral (b) remains 

 with a leaf or two upon it, the injury to the fruit is not 

 so marked, because its leaves perform, in part, the func- 

 tions of the one removed. One great object, in pinching 

 off the end of the growing canes, is to cause the leaves 

 to grow larger, thicker, and better able to assist in per- 

 fecting the fruit ; therefore, the main leaves on the stem 

 should never be removed, and especially let those that 

 are near or opposite the fruit be carefully preserved. 



