148 HOPS. 



Apart from those given, other considerations also in- 

 fluence the selection of the method of cutting to employ. 

 In some cases the physical properties of the soil govern the 

 relative number of eyes to be left on the stem ; ^ in others 

 additional transitory influences, such as injury to the plants 

 by hailstorms in the previous year, fresh manuring, the 

 occurrence of svparms of vermin, or the results of disease, 

 floods, etc., may necessitate a suitable and well directed 

 modification of the cut. Under any circumstances, hov7- 

 ever, the following rule should form the basis of operations, 

 namely, that the existing condition and strength of the stock 

 is the prime measure of the extent to which the stems 

 should be cut back so as to leave a larger or smaller number 

 of shoots. This being borne in mind, the probability of error 

 will be greatly reduced. As will be evident from what has 

 already been stated, the circulation or accumulation of sap 

 plays an important part in this connection, and accordingly 

 the main questions in every case will be, how many 

 stems 



(1) The stock is to put forth and 



(2) Is to supply with nutriment throughout the entire 



period of vegetation. 

 Unfortunately these two points are only too often 

 neglected and left undistinguished, although it is a very 

 natural thing for a close connection to exist between root 

 activity and the productivity of the plant. If, however, 

 the rootstock cannot put forth a number of shoots 

 at least approximating to the quantity it is capable of 

 nourishing thoroughly, the activity of the roots is checked 

 at the outset. When this is carried to excess it is only in 

 rare instances that the activity can subsequently revive ; in 

 most cases it remains crippled for some years, and the more 



^ Soils tTiat form a superficial crust are more easily penetrated if a large 

 number of shoots are left. 



