CAUSES OF FRTJITFULNESS. 81 



culation, and cause the tree to bear. This would, 

 however, be at the expense of the future vigor and 

 size of the tree, and of the size and excellence of 

 the fruit. Indeed, it often happens, that with the 

 best treatment, trees will bear as young as their 

 ultimate success requires. 



There are, however, some varieties, which, in 

 rich soil, continue growing a long time in an un- 

 productive state. Fruitfulness is caused in various 

 ways. 1. By neglecting cultivation, or suffering 

 grass to grow under them, which diminishes their 

 growth. 2. Pruning the roots beneath the surface, 

 by cutting off a part of the larger ones, causing the 

 same result. 3. Ringing the branches, or remov- 

 ing a small ring of bark round them, which pre- 

 vents the fluids from flowing back or downwards, 

 and consequently induces their accumulation, to 

 the formation of flower buds. 4. Bending the 

 branches downwards, causing a similar accumula- 

 tion with a like result. 5. Grafting on dissimilar 

 s tocks, which prevents a free flow of sap and j ui- 

 ces at the point of junction. 



1. Suffering grass to grow among trees, though 

 beneficial in some very rare instances, is not on the 

 whole advisable. The loss in the quality of the 

 fruit is too great, and is not balanced by the advan- 

 tages. The complaint of unfruitfulness has been 

 more frequently applied to the pear; but a selec- 

 tion of many new sorts, originated in the present 



6 



