CHAPTER XL 



CAUSES OF FRUITFULNESS. 



WHATEVER tends to a rapid circulation of the sap, 

 and to increase the growth of a -tree, causes also 

 the formation of leaf buds instead of flower buds. 

 On the contrary, whatever tends to an accumula- 

 tion of sap in any part, or to retard its circulation, 

 induces the production of flower instead of leaf 

 buds. When trees are young, and the bark and 

 wood soft and flexible, the sap flows freely and 

 without check ; hence, leaf buds and the vigorous 

 growth of branches are the result ; but as trees be- 

 come older, and the bark and other parts more ri- 

 gid, they appear to offer more resistance to a free 

 circulation, and hence the production of flowers and 

 consequent fruitfulness of the tree. 



This principle enables us to apply artificial 

 means at pleasure for the promotion of the same 

 objects. When trees are young and small, a rapid 

 growth and the attainment of size is desirable, 

 which is given by enriching the ground, and 

 thorough and constant cultivation. A neglect of 

 these operations, would check free growth and cir- 



