166 CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



"Theory of Horticulture," has stated the reasons for 

 this step with great distinctness: 



"But although the general rule is to allow as many 

 leaves to remain on a tree as can be kept in health, yet 

 there are circumstances which justify their removal, and 

 indeed render it necessary. For example, when a tender 

 tree is trained to a wall, a great object with the gardener 

 is to secure ripe wood ; for, unless he does this, the frost 

 of the succeeding winter may destroy the branches, or the 

 buds may be so imperfectly formed as to produce feeble 

 shoots the ensuing season. To attain this object, those 

 leaves must be removed which prevent the sun from 

 striking upon the branches to be ripened ; the effect of 

 this being to stop the rapid growth of the branches, and 

 to consolidate their tissue, in consequence partly of the 

 excessive perspiration, and partly of the rapid digestion 

 of the sap which is thus induced : for the rate of diges- 

 tion and perspiration in a healthy plant is in proportion 

 to the quantity of light and heat to which it is exposed. 

 Hence the removal of those shoots, which in summer 

 overshadow that wood of the peach-tree which is in- 

 tended to be preserved another year, is useful. There can 

 be no doubt, however, that as few shoots as possible 



