POTTING TRANSPLANTING. 363 



fruit increased in quantity. Thus it is found, that when the 

 branches are made to grow downward, they will grow less 

 vigorously, but will also produce much more fruit, because 

 the circulation is thus impeded. 



3. In the case of grapes, it is found, that the fruit is in- 

 creased, by training the top branches at a great distance from 

 the root. The tops of tall trees are more fruitful than the 

 side branches, owing to their distance from the roots. 



The trees which are benefited by training, are such as are 

 properly climbers, as the grape ; but trees whose erect pos- 

 ture shows that they were made to be rocked by the storms, 

 are always injured by this process. 



III. Potting is the growing of plants in small earthen ves- 

 sels or tubs. The condition of the roots, in this case, is dif- 

 ferent from that of their natural position in the soil. This 

 process, for most plants, is wholly unnecessary. The princi- 

 pal use of it is to give a start to some plants, at a period when 

 they cannot be placed^n other conditions. The plant will 

 exhaust the soil, which must be changed frequently, or they 

 will become sickly. If plants are placed in large tubs, they 

 will flourish much better and for a longer time. The cases 

 where potting is useful, refer to rare plants, or to those which 

 will not endure the frosts of winter, and to plants which are 

 to be transplanted. In the latter case, potting answers in- 

 stead of a hot-bed. 



IV. Transplanting. This is an important process ; and 

 one in relation to which, correct practice leads to the most 

 useful results. A few remarks must suffice here, upon the 

 transplanting of trees. 



These relate to the time and manner of performing the 

 operation. In our country, the season most desirable, is the 

 spring ; and during a moist or rainy day. In some coun- 

 tries, the fall is chosen, because the evaporation from the tree 

 is much less in the autumn, and early part of winter than in 

 the spring. But the frosts, by up-heaving the earth and the 



