PINCHING— BUD-NIPPING 123 



with sharp elhows and abrupt bends the rush of 

 sap is slackened just as the rate of flow of a water- 

 current is diminished by the windings occurring in 

 its bed. Thus, again, in a branch having a decided 

 incline downward the sap moves with difficulty, be- 

 cause its movement toward the extremity of this 

 branch is in a direction contrary to that which is 

 natural to it. The application of this principle is 

 evident. If we wish to moderate a too vigorous 

 growth of branches, we bend them toward the 

 ground ; if we wish to stimulate a too feeble growth, 

 we straighten up the branches until they assume a 

 vertical posture. 



"We can also turn to account the exhausting effect 

 of fruit-bearing. The more fruitful a branch is, 

 the weaker it becomes, since the use of sap in fruit 

 means so much the less for foliage, and it is fo- 

 liage that invigorates the branch. Accordingly we 

 will leave the greatest possible quantity of fruit 

 on the strong part of our tree, and suppress it on 

 the weak part." 



