276 AMERICAN POMOLOGY. 



orchardist. While he is contemplating the rich returns 

 for his capital and labor expended upon the orchard, how- 

 ever, he will find many circumstances in the functions of 

 his plants that will amply repay him for their careful 

 study. Nor should he consider these only as matters of 

 philosophical interest, for they will often lead him into 

 courses of treatment that will enable him to secure richer 

 returns than he would otherwise attain. A few of these 

 will be presented in the commencement of this chapter, 

 nor need any apology be offered for quoting one of the 

 highest authorities in the language upon this branch of 

 botanical study. Balfour gives the following account of 

 the changes which occur in the vegetable economy during 

 the formation and ripening of fruits, under which term he 

 includes, in botanical language, all seeds, whether the dry 

 pericarps, or the pulpy, drupes, and other appendages, 

 which are recognized as fruits proper in pomological 

 language. ,-.^ 



" While the fruit enlarges, the sap is drawn towards it, 

 and a great exhaustion of the juices of the plant takes 

 place. In annuals, this exhaustion is such as to destroy 

 the plants ; but if they are prevented from bearing fruit, 

 they may be made to live for two or more years. Peren- 

 nials, by acquiring increased vigor, are able better to bear 

 the demand made upon them during fruiting. If large 

 and highly flavored fruit is desired, it is of importance to 

 allow an accumulation of sap to take place before the 

 plant flowers. When a very young plant is permitted to 

 blossom, it seldom brings fruit to perfection. When a 

 plant produces fruit in very large quantities, gardeners are 

 in the habit of thinning it early, in order that there may 



