474 On the advantages of Root Pruning in Pear Trees. 



varieties. I may here mention that a Gansel's Bergamot being 

 pruned rather too harshly in December 1838, bloomed most pro- 

 fusely last spring and died in the summer. 



In the Winter Nelis (fig. C.) the last season's growth was three 

 inches ; the tree is now covered with blossom buds. 



In all these cases the shoots are in a state of perfection as regards 

 prospective fruitfulness. 



It now only remains for me to give some hints and directions as 

 to the mode of operation. The best description of trees for what 

 I may perhaps be allowed to call Garden Orchards, are half stand- 

 ards with round well formed heads, the same trained en quenouille, 

 and dwarfs in the usual bush fashion. For immediate effect these 

 should be prepared by annual root pruning for one, two, or three 

 years in the nursery, but if not so prepared, trees of the usual size 

 and quality may be planted and suffered to remain two years undis- 

 turbed, unless the soil is rich and they make vigorous shoots the 

 first season after planting (operations may then commence the first 

 season) ; thus, supposing a tree to be planted in November or De- 

 cember, it may remain untouched two years from that period, and 

 then, early in November, if possible, a circumferential trench ten 

 inches from the stem of the tree and eighteen inches deep should 

 be dug, and every root cut with a sharp spade, which should be 

 introduced quite under the stem at about fifteen inches in depth, 

 so as completely to intercept every perpendicular root. The 

 treddle spade used in this part of Hertfordshire is a very eligible 

 implement for this purpose, as the edge is steeled and very sharp. 

 The following year, the third from planting, a trench may again be 

 opened at fourteen inches from the stem so as not to injure the 

 fibrous roots of the preceding summer's growth, and the spade 

 again used to cut all the circumferential and perpendicular roots 

 that are getting out of bounds, the fourth year the same operation 

 may be repeated at eighteen inches from the stem and in all sub- 

 sequent root pruning this distance from the stem must be kept ; 



