Root-Pruning the Pear and other Fruit Trees. 353 



Now as rapid growth and a fruitful habit cannot obtain at 

 the same time, the great matter is to be enabled to grow the 

 tree into the form and size desired in the shortest space of 

 time, and then, in one season, to bring it into a fruitful state. 

 The former of these objects can easily be attained in the 

 manner mentioned above ; and the latter, which is the more 

 important, would, we presume, be a desideratum to many of 

 our readers, who, like ourselves, would prefer seeing trees 

 covering their allotted spaces quickly, and without regard to 

 having more fruit than chance or good seasons might pro- 

 duce while this is going on, and afterwards to be enabled to 

 ensure plenty of fruit buds for the ensuing season. 



To many it will be a startling assertion, but it is true that 

 the best time for root-pruning fruit trees, with a view to 

 make them ripen their wood well, and set plenty of fruit 

 buds, is in July or early in August ; or in forward situations 

 as soon as they have formed their first growth, for many 

 trees make a second shoot, or what is termed a midsummer 

 growth, among which are the apple and pear, although vig- 

 orous young trees sometimes continue to grow throughout 

 the season until their progress is arrested by cold on the 

 approach of winter. Than this latter state nothing can be 

 more unfavorable to the production of fruit, and to remedy 

 it quickly summer root-pruning is a certain means, as the 

 moment the operation is performed all growth is checked, 

 and the perfect elaboration of the sap in the tree commences. 

 This principle applies to all fruit trees, whether trained on 

 walls or kept as standards, that are unfruitful or in too gross 

 a state. It also accords beautifully with the system of sum- 

 mer pruning and stopping, as a proper balance is preserved 

 by it between root and branch. The natural tendency of 

 an over-vigorous tree, after being stopped, to throw out a 

 forest of laterals, is also prevented. The excessive flow of 

 sap in the tree is checked at the warmest period of the year : 

 and any fresh accession of crude juices from the root, being 

 in a great measure stopped by the root-pruning, the sap 

 already in the tree, through being acted on by the heat of 

 autumn, becomes perfectly elaborated, and fruitfulness is the 



VOL. XVI. NO. VIII. 45 



