THE PREMATURE LATERAL. 



99 



of M. Grin's method which really presents any 

 difficulty." 



The object which we have in view is to avoid a 

 blank space of more than an inch between the first 

 pair of full-sized leaves (which Lave the bearing- 

 buds with them), and the base of the laterals, for 

 the reasons before stated. Passing over other ex- 

 pedients to check the growth of a too-vigorous 

 lateral on the upper side of an extension, M. Grin's 

 method may be recommended here. It consists in 

 the suppression of one-third of the two small leaves 

 which spring immediately from the base of the 

 larger leaf. In fig. 15 these small leaves are 

 marked a, and the line of suppression is shown by 

 b. This operation is considered to be always suc- 

 cessful provided — and here is the only difficulty — 

 it be done at the proper moment. This is known 

 by the relative sizes of the leaves as seen in the 

 engraving. There is no doubt that in the case of 

 an orchard-house cordon, which is more easy to 

 watch, the sudden arresting of the sap will produce 

 two or more buds, which will constitute a good 

 basis for next year's work. 



Should, however, the lateral have made its 

 growth unchecked, and have carried off in its pro- 

 gress the leaves and buds to a distance of several 

 inches, we may be induced to try Professor Gres- 

 sent's remedy, which he highly recommends, for it 

 g 2 



