FORMING THE SHAPE. 11 



ure, from high winds. We are also of opinion, from a little 

 experience, that the pyramid or umbrella shape is the hand- 

 somest and best form that can be adopted, not on account of 

 its beauty alone, but it admits readily sun and air through 

 the branches. During the second season's growth of the 

 young tree, the small shoots on the stem or trunk should not 

 be taken off, as they retain the sap in the lower part of the 

 stem, which will give it a stout body. But they must be 

 kept within bounds, and not allowed to grow too long, by 

 pinching often through the season, as allowing them to grow 

 too fast would check the growth of the leader. Late in the 

 fall, or early the following spring, all the side-shoots should 

 be removed, and a branchless trunk formed to three feet from 

 the ground, as already spoken of. 



To form the pyramid or umbrella shape, all straggling and 

 tender side-branches must be watched closely as they grow 

 long and weak, and draw the sap from the leader : pinching 

 off the ends of all such will regulate an equal circulation, 

 winch will cause every branch to grow stocky and strong. 

 Let every shoot, commencing with the lowest, be about ten 

 inches shorter than the one next above it, and so on to the 

 top, and allow no surplus shoots to grow. Thus is obtained 

 the fine symmetry of the perfect tree and a uniform growth 

 on every limb. 



What can be more repulsive to the eye than to see gardens 

 encumbered with tall, straggling skeletons, unshapely and 

 unfruitful, packed closely together, that afford no pleasure to 

 the passer-by, nor remuneration to the owner for his outlays ? 

 M;st trees have a natural tendency to grow tall without 

 acquiring proportionally a stocky body ; and very often, for 

 that reason, the tree bends under its own weight, and hence 

 the necessity to resort to propping it up. To avoid this 

 altogether, prune, and let the sun and air circulate freely 

 through the tree, that every branch may have ample room to 

 fulfil its functions properly. It is well known to all fruit- 

 growers that the most perfect specimens of every kind of 

 fruit grow in the sun, not only perfect, but their skins are 

 smooth and glossy, and brilliant in blush. This will give us 

 an idea about pruning, and what to prune, and how to prune. 

 A little experience and study will enable any one to acquire 

 this knowledge, winch should be strictly practised on every 

 fruiting tree. 



