232 GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



ber, the fewer the leaves, and the less the sap is attracted 

 there; but leaving these standing on the feeble parts, 

 these leaves attract the sap and induce vigorous growth. 



5. Pinch early the soft extremities of the shoots on the 

 vigorous parts, and as late as possible on the feeble parts, 

 excepting always any shoots which may be too vigorous for 

 their position. By this practice the flow of sap to that 

 point is checked and turned to the growing points that 

 have not been pinched. 



6. In training, lay in the strong shoots on the trellis early 

 and leave the feeble parts loose as long as possible. Laying 

 in the strong shoots obstructs in them the circulation, 

 and favors the weak parts which are at liberty. Giving 

 also the feeble parts the benefit of the light in training, 

 and confining the strong parts more in the shade, restores 

 a balance. 



II. — The sap acts with greater force and produces more 

 rigorous growth on a branch short pruned than on one long 

 pruned. The whole sap of the branch acting on two buds 

 must produce greater development of wood on them than 

 if divided among fifteen or twenty. Hence, to produce 

 wood branches, we prune short, or if fruit branches, we 

 prune long, because slender and feeble shoots are more 

 disposed to fruit. Hence, also, trees that are enfeebled 

 by over-bearing should for a year or two be pruned short, 

 until the balance is restored. 



III. — The sap tending always to I he extremities of I he shoots 

 causes the terminal bud to push with greater rigor than the 

 laterals. When we wish a prolongation of a stem, we 

 should prune to a vigorous wood bud, and leave no pro- 

 duction that can interfere with the action of the sap on it. 



IV. — The more the sap is obstructed in its circulation, the 

 more likely it will be to produce fruit buds. Sap, circulating 

 slowly, is subjected to a more complete elaboration in the 

 tissues of the tree, and becomes better adapted to form 



