FUNCTION OF LEAVES. 11 



of form becomes so considerably augmented, that 

 few trees are able to remedy this defect by i\ 

 spontaneous effort of nature, and the expectations 

 of years become frustrated in a single season. 



When, then, we perceive a commencement of \ 

 this want of due vigour 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 larger number 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 

 flavour. The more the tree secretes the better. 

 Pruning and training here play a great part. 

 By removing a 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 equalise both. Removal of some of the 

 leaves produces flavour in the fruit. But we 

 speak here, chiefly, of the growth of the tree, 

 and its regulation. 



