538 THE GARDENER. [Dec. 



pendicular there will be considerable damage done to the cellular tissue 

 of the branch — the evil of which no gardener needs to be told. Where 

 the young tree has been cut as we have above recommended, it will 

 the second year have three branches, and should be managed as already 

 directed for a young tree having three growths. 



The following season it will probably make from seven to twelve or 

 fourteen shoots. "We would advise all to be kept regularly pinched 

 during the summer, save seven. Three of these ought to be on the 

 leader, and two each on the two side branches, one being at the point 

 of each shoot to form leaders, and the other four so placed that they 

 will form well-positioned side branches, those upon the under shoots 

 being upon the upper side thereof. The under branches ought at first 

 to be trained at an angle of about 45°, and gradually brought down into 

 their horizontal position, as we have recommended for the Pear. Where, 

 however, the branches may be of unequal proportions, it may best suit the 

 purpose to elevate the weak side to this angle, and depress the strong 

 to the horizontal line ; and where this does not of itself accomplish the 

 end, let the roots upon the strong side be cut pretty well back, which 

 will greatly assist the accomplishment of this object. If the tree is 

 pretty vigorous all over, we would recommend that this season ought 

 to be the first to introduce a regular course of root-pruning, which, 

 while tending to make the tree healthy and robust, will also be the 

 means of inducing early fertility. Out of about four dozen young 

 Plum-trees here, about four years of age, there were a considerable 

 number which bore a few Plums this year ; and one in particular — 

 Coe's Golden Drop — produced and perfected twenty-eight handsome 

 Plums, which, in a commercial point of view, were at least equivalent 

 to the price of the tree. If thus a little trouble in root-pruning can, 

 at the end of four years, produce such results, no one can doubt the 

 practical utility and economy of so doing. The operation may be per- 

 formed any time during autumn and winter, but the earlier it is done 

 the better will be the results. In the case of a tree bearing fruit, we 

 would not do so till November, in case of losing the crop ; but where 

 there is no crop, the end of August, September, or October will be the 

 best time to do so, and the probability is, that next year there will be 

 as much fruit as may counterbalance the cost of labour employed. 

 In root-pruning the Plum, the same things are to be remembered as 

 we have already mentioned when treating of the Pear and Apple — viz., 

 digging right round and underneath, cutting the roots back pretty 

 freely, according to the size and age of the tree, and providing the 

 roots with some nice fresh materials, such as shall be hereafter recom- 

 mended. This operation may be performed regularly every two or 

 three years, until the tree has arrived at full size and bearing, and even 



