35 
numerous spur shoots, on which alone flowers are produced 
in the case of the apple and pear. In some of our orna- 
mental shrubs, however, such as Guelder Rose, Weigelia 
and Forsythia, flowers are borne on the shoots of the pre- 
vious year, and it is consequently a mistake to cut these 
back in the autumn, as is so often done thereby reducing 
the beauty of these shrubs. Old wood, on the other hand, 
and branches which have already flowered, should be 
pruned away at the end of the summer. Some plants 
which are nearly related, differ in the manner in which 
they bear their flowers and fruit, and it is therefore very 
important before pruning to know exactly on which kind 
of branches the flowers will be borne. For instance, the 
Morello Cherry bears its flowers all along the shoots pro- 
duced during the previous summer, while others flower 
at the base of the shoots on short spurs. These kinds 
must therefore be pruned differently from the former. A 
similar difference is found in the case of currants. Black 
Currants flower all along the shoots formed in the pre- 
vious summer, while Red Currants produce their fruits on 
small spur shoots found on older wood. 
We must distinguish between the methods causing the 
production of flower buds as described above, and prac- 
tice—such as forcing, which has for its object to cause an 
early unfolding of the same. Unless bulbs or aerial buds 
already contain the rudiments of flowers no amount of 
forcing will cause these to be formed. The application 
of moist heat, often in faintly lighted pits, 1s indeed 
inimical to the production of flower-forming substances 
and promotes vegetative growth rather than flower pro- 
duction. On the other hand, if flower buds are present 
their expansion can’ be materially accelerated. By these 
means flowers can be obtained in mid-winter when they 
will be particularly appreciated. Most storage organs, 
whether tubers, bulbs, or winter buds, require to pass 
through a resting period before they enter upon a new 
period of growth. Various methods can be adopted there- 
fore to accelerate either the process of ripening the buds 
or of reawakening the dormant structures. While dryness 
promotes the former, heat and moisture effect the latter. 
Tt has been found however that the resting period can be 
shortened by various means. For example particular 
varieties of potato, which will not sprout in the autumn 
and cannot therefore be used for the culture of early 
