56 THE MINIATUEE FEUIT GARDEN 



The treddle spade used in this part of Hertford- 

 shire is a very eligible instruraent for this purpose, as 

 the edge is steeled and very sharp. The following 

 year, the third from planting, a trench may be again 

 opened at fifteen inches from the stem, so as not to 

 injure the fibrous roots of the preceding summer's 

 growth, and the knife and spade again used to cut all 

 the spreading and perpendicular roots that are getting 

 out of bounds. The fourth year the same operation 

 may be repeated at eighteen inches from the stem; 

 and in all subsequent root-pruning this distance from 

 the stem must be kept. This will leave enough un- 

 disturbed earth round each tree to sustain as much 

 fruit as ought to grow, for the object is to obtain a 

 small prolific tree. 



I find that in the course of years a perfect mass of 

 fibrous roots is formed, which only requires the annual 

 or biennial operation (the former if the tree be very 

 vigorous) of a trench being dug, and the ball of earth 

 heaved down to ascertain whether any large feeders 

 are making their escape from it, and to cut them off. 

 But it must be borne in mind that this soil will in a 

 few years be exhausted; to remedy which a shallow 

 trench should be made round the tree about eighteen 

 inches from the stem : this should be filled in with a 

 dressing of night soil and burnt earth in December or 

 January. This manure is raw and powerful and very 

 unsavoury, but it will not come into contact with any 

 active roots until it has lost its pungency. Other liquid 



