GARDEN CULTUKE. 179 



ameter, but is divided at d by wood which unites the two 

 sides of the stem. Now whether the sap crosses directly 

 through the young cane from leaf to fruit, or around the 

 pith, is not positively known, but that there is a connection 

 between them by which the fruit is benefited, can be readily 

 demonstrated by removing the leaf early in the season. 

 When this is done, the fruit is not so perfect as when it 

 remains. 



This imperfection is not altogether owing to the loss of 

 shade which the" leaf afforded, because if the same amount 

 of shade is given the fruit artificially, it is still more or less 

 affected. If the lateral (b) remains with a leaf or two upon 

 it, the injury to the fruit is not so marked, because its 

 leaves perform, in part, the functions of the one removed.* 

 One great object in pinching off the end of the growing 

 canes is to cause the leaves to grow larger, thicker, and 

 better able to assist in perfecting the fruit ; therefore the 

 main leaves on the btem should never be removed, and es- 

 pecially let those that are near or opposite the fruit be 

 carefully preserved. 



