50 FRUIT FARMING 



Extract from " The Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society," 

 March, 1910. 



THE PHYSIOLOGY OP PRUNING, by my son, 

 E. A. BUNYARD, F.R.H.S. 



" To students in this case I would recommend a study 

 of plant physiology or plant functions as the only sure 

 basis upon which a knowledge of correct pruning 

 can be founded. A short consideration of the vital 

 processes of plants will, I think, demonstrate how 

 much the pruner may learn from the physiologist. . . . 

 Then follows a lucid explanation of the functions of 

 sap, leaves and roots, and their elaboration which 

 are too long to include here. 



We may now consider how this supply of sugar and 

 starch in the sap is drawn upon for the nourishment 

 of fresh growths. The most convenient example ot 

 this is the development of the bud. The buds are 

 developed in the axils of the leaves, and an examination 

 of a strong shoot in winter will reveal a certain 

 difference between the buds situated on different parts 

 -ef the shoot. The buds at the base will be seen to 

 be very small, while those midway up the shoot are 

 conspicuous and are covered with a downy felt. The 

 latter are fruit buds. Higher up the shoot the buds 

 again decrease in size, except perhaps the terminal 

 bud of the shoot, which may be a fruit bud again. 

 The shoot can therefore be divided into three dintinct 

 parts : dormant buds at base, fruit buds at the centre, 

 and above ihese the wood buds, viz., those which will 

 produce only fresh branches and no fruit. It may be 

 asked : What is the cause of the difference of these 

 buds ? It is entirely a question of development. 



