26 



Manafjement of Orcliards. 



of varieties permits, the trees are grafted in rows, so that one 

 row be assigned to a wide-spreading sort, and the next to one 

 of more upright growth. 



1. The Graft. 



2, The Stock. 3. The Graft covered with clay. 



4. The Guard. 



On the early pruning of young apple-trees their future growth 

 depends. Great care is requisite to secure a well-formed head ; 

 neglect at this time is irreparable. There are generally three or 

 four buds left on the graft, and from these the careful pruner 

 forms his tree. These, in the second winter after grafting, 

 should be looked over, and any branches not growing right should 

 be removed, and also any side-shoots on the stock, and which 

 may be diverting the sap from the graft. 



Every winter, as soon as the leaves are fallen, or not later 

 than January, the young trees should be gone over, and all cross- 

 branches cut out ; for these branches are the future limbs of the 

 tree, and, to produce a wide-spreading head, these must radiate 

 and spread outwards ; every branch that rubs against another 

 should also be removed. If the object be to grow table-fruit 

 of a large size, it will be the more essential to keep the boughs 

 thin and open, and you must not expect to get both quantity and 

 quality. Great care is requisite in the removal of useless wood 

 which does not bear. Pruning is too commonly either over- 



