238 



FRUIT AND ITS CULTIVATION. 



Root Pruning. This is a form of pruning which has 

 for its main object the removal of tap roots, and also the 

 shortening of too-vigorous lateral roots, so as to encourage 

 a tree to make more fibrous roots, and hence render the 

 branch growth more sturdy and fruitful. Root-pruning 

 is imperative in the case of cordons, pyramids, bushes, 

 and wall-trained trees, to check rank root growth 



Fig. 109. RIGHT WAY TO ROOT PRUNE A TREE. 



Severing: the main roots at a point equal to the circumference of the branches, 

 as shown by dotted vertical lines. 



and promote fruitfulness. Cordons, bushes, ana pyramids 

 are all the better for being lifted every third year, having 

 their vigorous roots shortened, and then replanted. Exu- 

 berant shoot growth is then restricted, and trees so 

 treated bear all the more freely. 



Dig out a trench about 3ft. from the stem, carefully 

 work away the soil until the tree can be lifted, then 



