10 Oct., 1916.] Ajjph Culture in Victoria. 589> 



often developed into blossom buds, before tbe young bud immediately 

 below tbe position of tbe one removed commences to extend into wood 

 growtb. Tbe nearest bud or two down tbe young sboot may perform 

 similarly, according to tbe vigour in tbe tree and tbe time of disbudding. 



Plate 23 illustrates tbis. Fig. 1 is enlarged section of wood taken 

 from between (e) and (/) of tbe treated Jonatban leader in Plate 22, 

 Fig. 1. Tbis shows well-ripened wood and bigbly developed buds. Fig. 2 

 is taken from between (g) and (h) of tbe same tree. In tbis case the 

 wood is not so strong, and tbe buds are weaker, Tbis growtb would bave 

 been still ligbter bad tbe otber two leaders not been treated so as to 

 assist it. 



Tbis matter will be further explained wben summer pruning is 

 being dealt witb later on. 



PrunijS^g the Two-year-old Tree. 



Plate 24 sbows tbe same tbree trees in Plate 22, and illustrating 

 method of cutting tbe two-year-old tree. Their leaders are cut back to 

 side buds, about six inches from tbe crown, witb the object of develop- 

 ing two main growths, in each case, on the yearling wood. 



Fig. 1 is turned slightly around, to give a better view of tbe foot (a), 

 the cause of the development of which has been previously explained. 

 When photographed, the trees were again planted, with their roots 

 unpruned. 



Shapely Young Trees. 



Plate 25 shows same trees one year older, Tbe buds to Avbich the 

 cuts were made, as explained in connexion with Plate 24, responded, in 

 every instance, by giving the two strong shoots desired. The shoots 

 of Figs. 1 and 3, corresponding to those which produced the strong 

 leaders during the previous year, were again inclined to offend simi- 

 larly. Put tbe swollen parts on these shoots indicate whence their 

 terminal buds were removed and the equilibrium of the branch systems 

 maintained. « 



Similar treatment of the offending leader on Fig. 2 kept it in order 

 also. 



By again cutting the young growths to buds corresponding with 

 those to which they were pruned the previous year, suthcient loaders 

 may be produced. Ten to twelve leaders are generally regarded snf- 

 ficient for the root system to snppoi't on the class of soil usually 

 favoured for apple growing, though where the grower practises heavy 

 feeding of his trees it may be necessary to bave more, providing pro- 

 vision is made for the free admission of liglii throughout the whole 

 top. 



(To he continued.) 



