PEDNING. 207 



The sundering, however, of a few of the thickest roots, and those that are 

 deepest in the ground, say in the October of one year, will reduce the 

 produce of the strongest shoots (Figs. 38 and 40) to the level of fertility 

 (Fig. 41) . The strength of these strong shoots may also be broken up by 

 summer stopping or pinching. This divides the strength of one shoot 

 among two or more, and these are of necessity so much weaker and also 

 better. 



Suppose, for illustration,, a mill race so strong as to overleap the 

 driving wheel ; its force may be broken and its point of impact adjusted 

 by simply diminishing or diverting its waters. Boot pruning does the 



rio.42. 



Pia. 43. 



former, summer pinching the latter, and either method forces the 

 tree to produce fertile shoots. 



Another reason for pruning is the maintenance of a supply of fruit- 

 bearing wood all over the tree. Peach trees bear only or chiefly on the 

 previous year's wood. They may be spurred ; but the system is so little 

 used that it is scarcely known in England. 



The fact, however, that peach wood only fruits once, to put the matter 

 in its broadest light, must of necessity cause much pruning, and calls 

 for much skill in the' operation. The peach prnner is compelled not only 

 to prune for the present but for the future. Figs. 42 and 43 give illus- 

 trations of this dual purpose of pruning. If Fig. 42 were left full length 

 there would be an excess of fruit, as well as a crop of wood produced 

 where it was worse than useless. In many cases, too, the wood itself 



