ODD METHODS OF PRUNING AND TRAINING 377 



D. The more sap circulation is retarded the less wood and the 

 more fruit buds will develop (98). 



1. Apply to branches which grow from successive extensions of 

 wood and also to those which spring from them, operations calcu- 

 lated to diminish vigor. 2. Apply to larger branches several Girard- 

 in's side grafts cions of fruit spurs or fruit buds set into twigs 

 to absorb part of the superabundant sap. 3. Arch all branches so 

 part of their extent will be toward the sun. 4. In February make 

 an annular incision 1-5 inch wide with a hand saw near the stem 

 base, and deep enough to penetrate the exterior wood layer (98). 

 5. In spring uncover the tree collar so as to expose the principal 

 roots for several feet and allow them to remain thus during sum- 

 mer. 6. In spring cut away parts of roots and replace the earth. 

 [These two practices are antagonistic. M. G. K.] 1. Transplant 

 trees in late autumn, but with great care to preserve all roots. 



E. Every method which conduces to diminish rigor of wood and 

 to make sap flow to the fruit tends to augment size of fruit. 



1. Graft upon stocks of a less vigorous species than the cions. 

 2. Apply suitable winter pruning ; that is, do not leave on the trees 

 more branches or parts of branches than is requisite for symmetrical 

 development and formation for fruit-bearing branches. 3. Make 

 fruit spurs grow close on branches by pruning them as short as 

 possible. 4. Cut branches very close when flower buds are formed. 

 .">. Mutilate summer shoots by repeatedly pinching off those not 

 required to develop size of tree. 6. When fruits are a fifth developed 

 suppress a further number of them. 7. Make an annular incision 

 about 1-5 inch wide upon the fruit-bearing branches when these 

 expand their blossoms. 8. Insert Girardin's side grafts in some fruit 

 branches of vigorous trees. 9. Place supports under fruits during 

 growth to prevent stretching or twisting of their stalks. If unsup- 

 ported, the fruit may grow unequally and the stretching or twisting 

 stalk may injure the sap vessels. When fruits are supported they 

 grow larger. 10. Keep fruits in their normal position during the 

 entire period of their development ; that is, with the fruit stem 

 lowermost. Sap acts with more force when it flows upward; a 

 vertical stalk therefore causes it to ascend more easily and the fruit 

 will become larger. 11. Place fruit under the leaves during their 

 growth to increase their size. 12. Apply to young fruits a solution 

 of sulphate of iron (272 A 8) only when the fruit is cool. Repeat 

 three times: When fruits are one-fourth grown; when a little larger ; 

 and again when three parts grown. 13. To increase size inarch a 

 small shoot on the fruit spur, to which fruit is attached when a third 

 grown. 



F. The yearly extensions of wood should be shortened more or 

 less, as the branches approach a vertical line, or tiie contrary. 



273. Construction of walls and fences. J. Cheal* gives some ex- 

 cellent advice upon the construction of walls and fences upon which 



* Practical Fruit Culture, London. 



