706 



APPENDIX. 



rapidity of ascent, and cause less food to be absorbed by the roots, not more to be 

 thrown off by the tree. In luxuriant trees it may be apt to occasion disease, 

 from too much crude sap. The safest plan, I should think, to overcome super- 

 abundant growth, would be to give little food, by making the border poor and dry, 

 giving plenty of room to extend, and leaving the young wood long. If all these 

 will not do, the next best thing would be to curtail the roots, 



774, in p. 344. — The summer pruning of pear-trees has lately been the subject 

 of discussion in Gard. Chron. between Mr. Ayres and others. I do not approve of 

 the breaking-do^^^l system if it could be avoided, I have seen it practised more than 

 twenty years ago ; but it is unsightly, and greatly tends to obstruct the light from 

 benefiting the buds at the base of the shoot, and on spurs, &c. At the same time, 

 I admit there is something in it which renders it not entirely objectionable ; for 

 below the breakage, fruit-buds form more readily than if the shoots were at once 

 cut off. Instead, therefore, of breaking down the summer shoots of pear-trees, and 

 leaving them hanging in front during a great part of summer, it would certainly 

 be better to nail them between the branches — at least, all that could be bent to that 

 position ; one nail would be sufficient for each shoot. After being thus secured, 

 where they will occasion least shade in regard to the more permanent portions, 

 the shoots could be cut half-way through with a knife about two or three inches 

 from their bases. Those shoots that cannot be so trained from their being right 

 ill front may be treated agreeably to the principles (1363 in p. 613) and the ample 

 directions for the management of the apple-tree in 1150, p, 537 to p. 543. N. 



776, in p. 345. — Root-pruning, by curtailing a few of the largest roots, lessens 

 the quantity of spongioles for a few years, and so curtails the quantity of absorbed 

 and ascending sap. This being more easily elaborated and brought into the highly 

 organised condition required for fruitfulness, causes the production of blossoms 

 and fruit. It is the tendency, however, of cutting roots to increase roots ; and in 

 a few years the greater number of small roots and the increased quantity of spon- 

 gioles should, especially if heavy dressings of rotted manure are added, as recom- 

 mended by some, and which should make up for the want of extension of the roots 

 in quest of food, aggravate in place of remedying the luxuriance of growth. 

 Pruning back all the roots of a fruit-tree may brmg the plant to something of the 

 natui-e of a paradise stock, which abounds in roots, yet these being matted close 

 round the stem, and not extending in quest of food, die off, and stint the growth 

 from the spongioles not falling in with nutriment. If the root-pruning is renewed 

 at shoi't periods, it may render this state more permanent ; but if great doses of 

 manure are given, it will lessen the effect ; and if the trees are neglected to be cut 

 back periodically, they will ultimately get much more luxuriant than under the 

 ordinary process of management. To keep the borders poor but healthy, sweet, and 

 well pulverised, and dry, by draining and elevating the plants on hillocks where 

 necessary, is best. A moderate degree of extension will suffice for the plants com- 

 ing to a fruitful condition, and there will be less need to resort to root-pruning, 



794, in p. 334 and 1363 in p. 613 to p. 616.— "AH fruit-bearing plants (and 

 indeed all others) grown in pots, ought to be potted in soil which has not been 

 sifted, and which, if not sufficiently coarse to keep it so open as to receive water 

 freely, should be mixed with fragments of wood, bones, and stones, for that pur- 

 pose, for supplying manure, and for retaining moisture." (P. 616.) Since the 

 above was printed and published, we have been in Devonshire, and seen at Bicton, 

 the seat of Lady Rolle, coarse, rooty, unsifted soil, mixed with fragments of stone, 

 pebbles, and also with fi'agments of charcoal, used in every description of pot cuL 



