CHAPTER XXVI 



Production of Fruit 



If we prune a tree very vigorously on one 

 side and very little on the other, we divert 

 the sap, which leaves the former side, turning 

 towards the other which has more shoots and 

 therefore more leaves. We have seen how 

 this principle is used to moderate a growth 

 that is too strong and to animate one that is 

 too feeble, thus restoring the equilibrium of 

 the two. But what will happen if the whole 

 tree is pruned at once ? 



We will first consider what takes place in a 

 single branch. If it is slightly pruned it 

 retains the majority of its shoots, all of which 

 it must feed with the sap that it receives, 

 while if vigorously pruned it will only keep a 

 few shoots, which, having the same amount 

 to share amongst them, will receive a more 

 liberal portion because they are less numerous. 

 What might have been the food of twelve is 

 now the portion of two or three. Each one 



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