122 



MISCELLAXEOUS. 



PT. II. 



minor growth, or the ringing of a branch, or the tying 

 a hgature round it, or anything whicli checks the 

 growth of a tree or branch, inchnes it to fruit. I have 

 been told by one whose word I trust as well as my 

 eyes, that he once cut a standard pear-tree half down 

 (that is, he cut half through the stem just above the 

 root), because, though a gross-grower, the tree never 

 bore fruit. He was accidentally called off his work, 

 and neglected to finish it. The tree not only lived, 

 but was ever after a profuse bearer. It is the beautiful 

 and beneficent provision of our Creator that, in pro- 

 portion to their age, decay, and approach to death, the 

 vital energies of trees are converted to the production 

 of seed, for the reproduction of their species in youth 

 and vigour. 



In the case of trees which are free growers but shy 

 bearers, put them or parts of them out of health some- 

 how. Dig half their roots to death — ring half their 

 branches — or half bark tlieir stems. For we must 

 grow fruit, not timber, in our gardens and orchards. 

 But do not dig all your trees to death, and then swear 

 that they killed themselves by diving. And in the case 

 of trees of minor growth, top-dress them, and break 

 the surface over their roots charily. 

 Origin of As the generality of roots do not leave the tender 



spurs and . . . . 



the sweu superficial seedhng either m vertical or horizontal hues, 



of the roots. ^ 



but in lines forming angles with these, the lateral in- 

 crease of these commencements of roots, as they become 

 imbedded and embodied in the trunk, forms the pro- 



