540 THE GARDENER. [Dec. 



cultivator would go regularly over tliem in summer, during the growing 

 season, and pinch back all the shoots save those intended for branches 

 to the fourth or fifth leaf. These in turn will probably produce laterals, 

 which may be pinched back to the first eye from which they started, and 

 at the winter pruning the original shoot should be cut to about 1 inch in 

 length. This will, in all probability, form a fruit-bearing spur ; but 

 should it not do so the following season, but send forth shoots again, 

 these may be treated as before, until such time as it shall form a fruit- 

 ing spur. 



In the case of a tree still continuing to grow very unequally after 

 the means already directed have been adopted, the following plan 

 may be found of great benefit. We never have adopted it ourselves, 

 as we never needed to do so, nor yet have we seen it performed by 

 any other ; yet we have every confidence in its efficacy, as it has been 

 adopted with success by one whose word on everything connected with 

 fruit-tree culture can be depended upon. Mr Thompson, in the 

 * Gardener's Assistant,' thus says regarding it : "In addition to other 

 means tending to diminish excess of vigour, some of the leaves should 

 be clipped across the middle with sharp scissors. Every third leaf may 

 be safely clipped in this manner ; if that is not likely to prove effectual, 

 every alternate leaf may be so treated ; and in obstinate cases we have 

 seen every leaf on a shoot clipped half away with no injurious results, 

 but, on the contrary, with the most beneficial eff'ects, inasmuch as wood 

 of only the requisite thickness was obtained, instead of a shoot too thick 

 to be retained in that part of the tree, and which would consequently 

 have to be cut away at the winter pruning. Thus a considerable waste 

 of vegetation is avoided, as well as the probability of inducing disease, 

 for gumming frequently takes place when very strong shoots are cut 

 off." This appears to be a Yerj practical and at the same time simple 

 and safe remedy, and is well worthy of a trial by those who may have 

 failed to obtain an equal distribution of the sap all over their trees. 

 However lightly some may look upon it, yet, nevertheless, it is a thing 

 of the first importance, and should be carefully attended to, as, if the 

 sap is not dispersing itself in pretty equal proportions all over the tree, 

 it cannot and will not long continue to enjoy good health— nay, more, 

 the very life and fruitfulness of the tree are at stake, and the sooner 

 the matter is set to right, so much the better it will be for the future 

 wellbeing of the tree. 



Another thing of vast importance, always to be observed in the wall 

 cultivation of the Plum, is never to allow shreds or string to become 

 so tight upon the bark as to mark or injure it in the least. If this 

 should occur to any extent, the probability is, that if the branch is 

 not broken over altogether, gumming will be the after-result. The 



