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CASSELL'S POPULAR GARDENINa. 



plication of shoots which follow, are sufficient for our 

 purpose, and lay the basis of the young tree a year 

 sooner, and as sound and well or tetter than could 

 have been done in double the 

 time on the older system of 

 growing wood for the knife. 



Nor is the saving of time 

 the only benefit, though that 

 is very great. As the roots 

 modify top growth, and to a 

 very great extent subordinate 

 its character to their own 

 likeness, so do the tops of 

 trees their roots. Hence, a, 

 branching tree of moderate 

 extent favours, if it does not 

 actually force, a similar style 

 and character of roots ; and 

 thus root-pruning forms, as it 

 were, two correlative and con- 

 secutive links in the chain 



in fruit-cultui-e, none can obiect to have their 

 fruit-trees moulded into models of symmetry to 

 please the eye, as weU as examples of fertility to 

 satisfy the palate. Apple-trees 

 feathered down to the base of 

 the root-stock are also far 

 more likely to remain healthy 

 than others that are mounted 

 on Crab or other stilts of 

 considerable height. Not a 

 few of the latter, however, 

 have lived and fruited for a 

 century or more ; and, of 

 course, at present, experience 

 is lacking as to the durability 

 of dwarf or Pyraiaidal Apples 

 on the Paradise or other 

 dwarfing stocks. So impor- 

 tant, however, has growth 

 near to the root-stocks of 

 Apples been considered, that 



Pig. 10.— Maiden Apple-tree, first year's growth, 

 stopped once. 



—Maiden Tree un- 

 stopped. 



Fig. 12. — Cut tack at end of 

 .first season's growth. 



rig. 13.— Second year's growth of Pig. 11 : three shoots, with 

 no fruit-buds. 



that moulds the trees into form and forces them into 

 fertility. 



Summer pinching or stopping also promotes good 

 form iu Apple or other fruit-trees by laying the 

 foundation of the tree near to the root-stock. This 

 is most important in these days of the concentration 

 of force and the husbanding of space, as it will en- 

 able the grower to reap the most produce from 

 limited areas. This system of keeping the trees at 

 home in the making, also results in developing great 

 beauty of form in Apple and. other fruit-trees. And 

 though, doubtless, utility should be the main object 



not seldom have wilding shoots been left on the stems 

 of stocks to sustain vigorous growth, and insure a 

 full flow of sap between the roots and the tops of 

 the trees. This simple expedient of a few wilding 

 shoots left for a time on tall standard Apple-trees, 

 has proved the best antidote and cure for the 

 hide-boimd condition into which they frequently 

 fall. This method of increasing the volume of 

 sap must not, however, be carried to excess, or 

 sterility, or starvation of the most valuable por- 

 tion of the tree, is Bkely to ensue. But this is 

 rather anticipating, and refers more to cultural 



