126 On Ringing the Bark of Trees and Plants. 



colour,* but those from ringed branches measured ten inches 

 in circumference, while those from unringed branches mea- 

 sured only eight. 



Pear trees do not suffer so much from ringing as Apple 

 trees ; the ring, though kept open, does not appear to induce 

 weakness so speedily : the ringed branches do not make 

 shoots in such numbers, nor in such vigour, but they retain 

 their health sufficient for all purposes of produce many years. 

 Indeed, so little injury is done to Pear trees by ringing, that 

 several branches may be kept cut at one time without dan- 

 ger, and a continuance of crop may be secured by occasion- 

 ally taking out a branch which may have become decayed, 

 and replacing it with new wood. In healthy and clean shoots 

 the bark of Pear trees soon restores itself over the ring, 

 unless it is cut very wide. The effect of ringing them is a 

 certain production of blossom buds, so much so, that even 

 young trees may be brought into bearing by this means. 

 Mr. Twamley, in the spring of 1818, ringed a branch of a 

 young and luxuriant Jargonelle Pear tree, which had been 

 planted only two years ; the ring closed itself at the end of 

 the summer; but the branch next year blossomed, and 

 brought to perfection five good Pears, (shooting vigorously 

 also), when no other part of the tree shewed the least appear- 

 ance of bloom, and even in the present spring it shews two 

 branches of blossom, which are the only ones upon the tree. 

 Mr. Hem pel f mentions that he had increased the size of 



* The Scarlet Nonpareils from ringed branches in Mr. Twamley's gardeD, 

 were, however, much more brilliant in colour than the other Apples on the same 

 tree. 



t See Horticultural Transactions, Vol. II. Appendix, 1. 



