PRUNING 61 



We have here a definite answer to the first of the questions set 

 above ; for the less a tree is pruned the larger it becomes. But it 

 also becomes heavier, and it even gains more in weight than it 

 does in size ; moreover, this increase in weight must be due to 

 an increase in weight of the stem and main branches, for it cannot 

 be accounted for merely by the weight of wood removed during 

 pruning : the prunings would, on an average, have amounted to 

 27 Ib. per tree during the ten years in the case of the moderately 

 pruned trees, whereas these trees at the end of this time showed 

 a deficit of 49 Ib. (VII, 15) as compared with the unpruned ones. 

 This answers the second and third of the above questions. 



So far as appearances go, it would seem, judging from the 

 illustrations in Fig. 10, that hard pruning may have increased 

 the number of shoots formed by the tree the fourth question. 

 But the case here is a more complicated one, and we may first 

 consider some more exact information on the point afforded by 

 another series of experiments. 



In these, one particular tree was taken, and a number of 

 similar shoots of the preceding year's growth selected; these 

 were all of the same length, and of the same diameter at the base : 

 they were then shortened to different extents in different cases, 

 as illustrated in the top photograph in Fig. n to 6 inches, to 

 12 inches, to 24 inches and to 36 inches (which last meant merely 

 the removal of the terminal bud) and at the end of the following 

 season the results were examined. The examination was also 

 extended to the older wood 6 inches below the original shoot; 

 this older wood being then three years of age, and the original 

 shoot two years. Three varieties of apples were examined in 

 this way, some on the crab stock, and others on the paradise, 

 96 branches in all being treated. Two sets after the year's 

 growth are illustrated in Fig. n : the base of the original shoot 

 being placed at the line marked o. 



Taking the young shoot only, without including the 6 inches 

 of older wood below it, the following were the average- results 

 obtained at the end of the season 



Cut back, leaving 

 6" 12" 24" 36" 



Weight of shoot and side shoots 100 179 310 562 

 Thickening of the shoot * 100 114 117 129 



New Shoots Formed 



Number . . . . 100 116 198 292 

 Length . . . . 100 113 145 183 

 Weight .... 100 108 123 142 

 1 From the weights of the basal 6 inches of the young shoot. 



