PYRAMIDS ON THE PEAK, STOCK. 



45 



to the surface. This annual operation, which should 

 be done in November, may be dispensed with in soils 

 not rich, if the trees be lifted biennially in that month 

 and replanted, merely pruning off" the ends of any 

 long roots. Annual surface manuring, as recom- 

 mended for pyramids on the quince, is also necessary, 

 if the trees be root-pruned or biennially removed. 



Trees of the usual size and quality may be planted, 

 and suffered to remain for two years undisturbed, 

 unless the soil be rich and they make vigorous shoots 

 (say eighteen inches in length) the first season after 

 planting, in which case operations may then com- 

 mence the first season. Thus, supposing a tree to be 

 planted in November or December, it may remain 

 untouched two years from that period ; and then as 

 early in autumn as possible a circumferential trench, 

 twelve inches deep, should be dug, and every root cut 

 with the knife and brought near to the surface, and 

 the spade introduced under the trees, so as completely 

 to intercept every perpendicular root. 



The treddle spade used in this part of Hertfordshire 

 is a very eligible instrument for this purpose, as the 

 edge is steeled and very sharp. The following year, 

 the third from planting, a trench may be again opened, 

 at fifteen inches from the stem, so as not to injure the 

 fibrous roots of the preceding summer's growth, and 

 the knife and spade again used to cut all the spread- 

 ing 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 

 subsequent root-pruning this distance from the stem 

 must be kept. This will leave enough undisturbed 



