38 



FRUIT TREES. 



absorbing sap. The tbougbt occurred to apply tbe 

 solution to tbe fruits, and the effect in increasing their 

 size was extraordinary. The solution should be in the 

 proportion of 24 grains to a pint of water. Apply it 

 only when the fruit is cool; repeat the operation three 

 times ; viz., when the fruits have obtained a fourth 

 part of their development, when they are a little 

 larger, and again when they are three parts groT\Ti. 

 This solution excites their powers of absorption, and 

 they draw to themselves a large quantity of sap which 

 would otherwise flow to the leaves, and they then 

 become larger fruit. 



Graft by approach a small shoot upon the peduncle or 

 fruit-spur, to which the fruit is attached tohen it has 

 attained a third part of its development. It has been 

 found that consequent on this operation the fruit 

 becomes larger, doubtless because the graft draws to 

 the peduncle a larger quantity of sap. 



The leaves serve the important purpose of elaborating 

 the sap of the roots and preparing it for the proper 

 nourishment of the tree, and the formation of buds upon 

 the boughs, A tree therefore that is deprived of its leaves 

 is in danger of ^perishing. 



It is therefore essential to guard against removing 

 too many of the leaves under pretext of placing 

 the fruit more immediately under the action of the 

 sun, for the trees, deprived of a part of their organs 

 of nutrition, will cease both growing and fruit- bearing. 

 Besides, branches stripped of their leaves produce 



