94 PRUNING. 



increased vigor of the leading-shoot, by directing the sur- 

 plus sap to its growth. 



This constitutes essentially the art of summer ■pruning 

 dwarf and pyramidal trees, more especially the pear and 

 apple. It may be applied with great advantage to young 

 standards, to produce early fruitfulness. 



It often happens, and especially when the pinching is 

 done too early, that the new buds send out shoots a second 

 time the same season. When this occurs, these second 

 shoots are to be pinched in the same manner as the first, 

 but shorter ; and third ones, should they start, are to be 

 similarly treated. The bruising given by pinching off with 

 the thumb and finger, is more apt to prevent this result than 

 clipping with a sharp knife. 



Pruning the roots. This has been tried to a limited 

 extent only, and has proved useful in checking over-luxu- 

 riant growth attended with unfruitfulness. Its tendency, 

 by lessening the supply of sap, is to render trees more 

 dwarfish, and operates not unlike grafting on dwarf stocks. 

 It should be attempted only in connexion with deep, rich 

 cultivation. It is performed while the tree is dormant, by 

 means of a spade, ground sharp, and thrust down through 

 the soil at a suitable distance from the stem.* 



. For full directions in all the departments of pruning, the 

 reader is referred to Barry's " Fruit Garden" the most 

 complete work on this branch of the subject, which has yet 

 appeared in this country. 



* The particular modes in which pruning and training are applied to various kinds 

 of fruit trees, will be found described on the pages which separately treat of those 

 fruits. 



