The Story-Book of the Fields 



develops more strongly because of this super- 

 abundance of food. If the whole of the tree 

 is vigorously pruned, the whole of the sap 

 absorbed by the roots, having no tendency to 

 turn in one direction rather than another, is 

 distributed equally throughout, and the few 

 shoots that are left by the pruning take on 

 a growth proportionate to the food of which 

 they are able to dispose. Vigorous pruning 

 thus applied to the whole tree has the effect 

 of strengthening it and of restoring its youth 

 by substituting new branches for those which 

 are worn out. So when a tree is exhausted 

 by abundant production of fruit it is 

 vigorously pruned for a year in order to 

 restore its strength. 



We will now consider the contrary course 

 to be followed supposing that we want the 

 tree to blossom and bear fruit. We shall be 

 guided by two principles. In the first place, 

 when the tree is most vigorous it sends out 

 long branches and thick foliage, but no 

 flowers — or few. It is only in a weaker con- 

 dition that it flowers abundantly. Secondly, 

 the shoot that should have become wood turns 

 into a flower bud. The flower is really a 

 branch, which instead of growing and pro- 

 ducing leaves, has, through lack of strength, 



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