DWARFING. 147 



reducing the growth. These are formed by arching the 

 branches, tying their tips to a ring of wire or hoop secured 

 near the ground, or simply by fastening weights to them 

 sufficient to keep them in the desired position, and by ty- 

 ing the upper limbs to the lower ones. As is well known, 

 the sap flows most readily toward the shoots that occupy 

 a .vertical line ; it will be seen that its ascent will be seri- 

 ously retarded in those that are bent, and their vigor will 

 be diminished, and fruit-bearing will be promoted. This 

 process must not be continued too perseveringly, lest the 

 tree become exhausted by over-production. 



Du Breuil recommends laying bare the principal roots 

 of the tree in the spring of the year, so as to expose them 

 for the most of their length, and leaving them in this con- 

 dition during the summer. This exposure of roots to the 

 sun and air diminishes the vigor of the tree, and hence it 

 tends to the production of fruit. He also recommends 

 the removal of a part of the roots in the spring, and re- 

 placing the earth; considering this a more energetic 

 operation than the preceding, he advises caution, lest we 

 injure the tree. This is simply root-pruning, a plan that 

 has been pretty thoroughly tested in this country, where, 

 perhaps, its beneficial effects are more needed than in any 

 other, and where we shall even find it advantageous to 

 have recourse to mechanical means for its performance in 

 large orchards by horse-power, as will be set forth in an- 

 other place. 



A very successful method of obtaining the desired effect 

 oi dwarfing, which is early and abundant fruiting, con- 

 sists in transplanting the trees in the autumn ; this should 

 be done very carefully, so as to preserve the roots from 



