244 THE GARDENER. [June 



Some trees are very spare in habit, and if left to themselves would not 

 become properly furnished. When such kinds are young, they ought to 

 be pretty well cut back, just for the very purpose of making them push a 

 greater profusion of shoots. Densely habited kinds, on the other hand, 

 should never on any account be shortened, unless parts of the tree are 

 bare of shoots. Such kinds should have a branch here and another 

 there cut clean out altogether; and when any young shoots push from 

 the place where such branches are cut, they should be rubbed off as 

 soon as they appear. Care should always be taken to get a good 

 foundation of branches from the very first. 



For ordinary orchard -trees globe-formed heads are best, for most 

 varieties assume that shape of themselves. As the trees get large, care 

 should be taken to keep the branches thin, so that sun and air may 

 have a chance to penetrate and assist fruit and wood to attain maturity. 

 Wood which is unmatured is generally fruitless, and mature wood can- 

 not be obtained unless sun and air get at every part of the trees. Some 

 of the freer-fruiting varieties may produce both blossoms and fruit; but 

 when the branches are crowded like a hedge, the fruit is sure to be in- 

 ferior in quality and appearance, and so of less value ; and although 

 the number of fruits may be larger, the weight will not be greater, but 

 may be the reverse. It is better, therefore, not to cut back the young 

 wood, unless it is necessary in order to furnish the tree with branches ; 

 and remember, when thinning is necessary, to do it by cutting out 

 the weakly branches. When two branches cross each other like an X , 

 the worst-placed one should be removed, for the rubbing of the one 

 against the other will spoil both, to say nothing at all of the awkward 

 look of the thing. Branches should be as nearly parallel as possible. 



Although orchard-trees may be skilfully let alone, and as skilfully 

 thinned when necessary, they may weary the cultivator waiting for the 

 " returns." Where the soil is good and deep, more especially in cool 

 northern localities, the trees may "go in for basket-wood ; " and when 

 trees grow too vigorously, the time for skilful letting alone has passed 

 in favour of skilful interference. After three or four years have passed, 

 and vigorous trees show no sign of producing fruit-buds, means should 

 be taken to cause their formation. This is best done by careful lifting 

 and replanting. Trees three or four years planted may be lifted and 

 transplanted during the month of October with every safety; and the re- 

 sult will be that the year following plenty of flower-buds will form, and 

 the growth be more moderate but of a better quality. If the opera- 

 tion is carefully done in the way we advised when speaking of plant- 

 ing them — all fibry roots saved and only strong ones cut back, and 

 all laid out horizontally, — after one year's growth they will again be 

 firmly established, and quite fit to make a proper growth and bear some 

 fruit. After this stage has been reached the trees will cause very little 

 trouble, for the bearing of fruit will prevent the formation of too 

 strong wood; and if it is not strong enough, mulchings of manure over 



