36 



FRUIT TREES. 



Cut the branches very close when the flower-buds are 

 formed. This concentrates the sap upon a smaller ex- 

 tent of wood, and the fruit receives, in consequence, a 

 larger supply. 



Mutilate the summer shoots by repeatedly pinching off 

 those shoots that are not required for the development of 

 the size of the tree. This mutilation, which is performed 

 by repeated pinchings, prevents the shoots absorbing a 

 too large supply of sap, which then remains, to the 

 advantage of the fruit. 



When the fruits have attained a fifth degree of their 

 development, suppress a further number of them. The 

 fruits left upon the tree absorb the sap of those taken 

 away, and therefore become much larger. There will 

 be a smaller number, but the same weight, which is 

 always to be preferred. 



Make an annular incision upon the fruit-bearing 

 branches at the time they expand their blossoms ; the 

 incision must not be wider than -A- of an inch. Experience 

 continually demonstrates, that following such incision, 

 the fruit becomes much larger, and ripens better. 

 Many attempts have been made to explain the cause, 

 but none are satisfactory ; the fact, however, is certain. 

 Stone fruits, and vines especially, are the better for 

 this operation being applied to them. 



Graft some of the fruit-branches of vigorous trees with 

 the Girardin side graft. This kind of graft produces 

 an effect similar to the annular incision. The fruit is 

 always larger than upon the other branches ; the cause 

 is doubtless the same. 



Place under the fruits, during their growth, a support, 



