324 



CASSELL'S rOPL'LAR GARDENIXG. 



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 better than could 

 have been done in double the 

 time on the older S}stem 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, &.nd 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 fa^'oui^s, if it does not 

 actually force, a similar scyle 

 and character of roots ; and 

 thus root-pruning forms, as it 

 were, two correlative and con- 

 secutive links in the chain 



in fruit-culture, none can object to have their 

 fruit-trees moulded into models of symmetry to 

 please the eye, as well as examples of fertility to 

 satisfy the palate. Ajpple-trees 

 feathered down to the base of 

 the root- stock are also far 

 more likely to remain healthy 

 thcin 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 durabihty 

 of dwarf or Pyramidal Apples 

 on the Paradise or other 

 dwarfing stocks. So impor- 

 tant, however, has growth 

 near to the root-stocks of 

 Apples been considered, that 



Fig. 10.— Maiden Apple-tree, first year's gro'rth 

 stopped once. 



11.— Maiden Tree nn 

 , stopped. 



Fig. 12.— Cut back at eud of 

 first season's growtli. 



rig. 1.3.— Second year's growth of Fig. 11 : tliree slioots, with 

 no fruit-buds. 



that moulds the trees into form and forces them into 

 fertility. 



Summer pinching or stopping also promotes good 

 form in Apple or other fruit-trees oy 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 

 tliough, 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 acd 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-bound condition into which they frequently 

 fall. This method of jncreasing 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 likely to ensue. But this is 

 rather anticipating, and refers more to cultural 



