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813 PBUNINQ AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PEACU TREE. 



wiiittr|iniiiinLr, wliatovor may be the length of their leading shoots, thej- must still 

 be out down to the stated height of fifteen inches and three quarteis, each of thetn to 

 two eyes chosen as aforesaid — one for the prolongation of the main branch, and the 

 other for forming the first secondary branch. I have shown at c (fig. 7,) the point at 

 which the pruning must be made in this case, which causes uo other inconvenience 

 than that of retarding the formation of the lower secondary branches for one year, 



158. Second Pruning. — Third year of Planlincj. Fig. 8 represents the state of 

 the tree after the second year's growth. The two main branches, A, Aj have increased 

 in length ; so also have the two first secondary branches, d, b. All the shoots and 

 laterals which have grown on the sides of those four branches are pruned to two or 

 three eyes ; then the main branch a is pruned at about thirty-one inches and a half 

 from the insertion of the secondary branch b, after having ascertained that there are 

 eyes properly situated at a like height on the other branch a, in order that a symme- 

 try as perfect as possible may exist between the two wings of the tree. This interval 

 of thirty-one inches and a half affords facility in nailing the fruit-branches formed 

 along the secondary branches, and allows a free play of air and light. The main 

 branches a and a are pruned at c, each on a wood-bud, a, situated on the upper side ; 

 and having a second eye, 6, situated on the under side, which is to become the second 

 lower secondary branch. If there should not be a wood-bud properly situated for a 

 leader, there is no objection to choosing one in front ; but then, when it pushes, and 

 as it proceeds in growth, it must be nailed so as to make it gradually take the right 

 direction, because it has a tendency to grow outward. The two branches b, b, are then 

 both pruned to the same length, about thirty-one inches and a half, in order that, when 

 the four arms are nailed, the points of the branches on each wing may nearly touch a 

 perpendicular line supposed to be drawn from the base of the wall to the coping. This 

 would be the case if the tree, represented by fig. 8, where the cuts on the leading 

 branches are seen at c c, were nailed ; because the ultimate depression of the main 

 branches would make the two points on each wing nearly touch the same vertical line. 



159. Very often in trees of this age the vigor is such that nearly all the eyes on the 

 leading shoot break forth ; so that, at the time of pruning, laterals only are found on 

 the shoot, especially at the height to which it ought to bo shortened. In such a case, 

 choice is made of a lateral situated on the upper side, with another immediately below 

 it on the under side ; and after having cut the principal shoot, the two laterals are 

 pruned each on a wood-bud suitable for prolonging them according to their respective 

 destinations. They are then regulated by nailing. The pruning of the main and 

 secondary branches may also be effected either on a latent eye followed by a lateral — 

 that is, having a lateral immediately below — or on a lateral followed by a wood-bud, 

 according as they are found at the point where the amputation should take place. 

 Disbudding and pinching are still employed according as they are needed. 



160. Third Pruning. — Fourth year of x)lanting. The tree is unnailed, and shows 

 the results of the third year's growth. I begin by examining the comparative state of 

 each wing, so as to act accordingly. Supposing no unfavorable accident has occurred 

 to the tree, I cut down all that are solely wood-shoots to two or three eyes, according 



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