Pruning op -Deciduous Fruit Trees. 



367 



branches tliaii when the top is dense, consequently weak growth and 

 dead wood are reduced. The peach bears its fruit on wood made 

 during- the previous summer. Any shoots barren of blossom buds 

 should be cut back to their base bud to force new growth for subse- 

 quent fruiting. Laterals showing blossom buds are crit back accord- 

 ing to their vigour and position, six, eight, or nine inches, so that 



Fig. 22. — Japanese Plum, "Sutsuma." 



the branches are always furnished with regular fruiting wood. Ail 

 wood having previously borne fruit is removed — it is useless. 



Fig 18, showing (a) blossom buds, (b) leaf buds and manner 

 of cutting back to base bud, (c) fruit spurs which are valued for 

 immediate fruiting; varieties termed shy-bearers produce this class 

 of wood owing to the practice of long pruning, and it only carries 



