FLOWZRIXG AND FRUITIXG. 



39 



It is lateral branches and spurs that mostly bear 

 flowers and fruit in some plants^ and pruning is intended 

 to multiply these. Hybrid plants, and those of which 

 the sorts have been greatly improved by culture, are 

 such as chiefly require priming. Stopping the young 

 shoots of many kinds may sometimes be preferable, as 

 it hinders the plants from wastixig thek strength unduly. 

 Even removing the buds that are not required to develop 

 just after they have burst, may often be advantageously 

 practised. Indeed, summer pruning is of more conse- 

 quence than is generally believed for plants that will not 

 bleed much, especially if they have to be trained, or if 

 any particular kind of new gro\vth is wanted. Late in 

 the autumn, or early in the winter or spring, are, hovr- 

 ever, the principal times for pruning. It may be ex- 

 tended to the roots in certain cases, where extreme 

 woodiness is wanted to be restrained. 



11,— Flowering and Fridting, 

 Both of these states are generally to be brought about, 

 where they do not naturally occur with sufficient readi- 

 ness or force, by a series of checks. Whatever promotes 

 strong and rank growth is decidedly against them. The 

 perfect npening of the wood, and, in fact, the complete 

 maturity of all the parts, such as a sunny summer and an 

 exposed situation will produce, are necessary to the full 

 development of these tendencies. Transplanting, with- 

 holding manm-e or water, judicious pruning, exposure to 

 sun and air, keeping the roots near the sm-face of the 

 ground, slightly raising the plant above the general level, 

 shallow soil, and thorough draining, are the best things 

 to produce fertility, when it does not show itself at the 

 usual period: and, with the exception of stinting the 

 supply of manure and water, they will be beneficial at 

 all times. Deep planting, or imperfect drainage, are 

 exceedingly bad ; and manure will ordinarily be adverse 

 to the production of flowers. For plants in pots that 

 are prone to become too vigorous, cramping the roots 

 diminishing the supplies of water, and putting them a 

 good deal in the open sunshine, will do much towards 

 restoring them to the desii'ed condition. 



