718 Journal of Arjricvltiire, Victoria. [11 Dec, 1916. 



matter upon which most practical fruit-growers and pruning experts 

 agree. For this reason the writer has specially selected the Rome 

 Beauty as the first variety to be dealt with, and the detailed treatment 

 recommended in its case is submitted for the consideration of the reader. 



When all the details essential to the establishment and maintenance 

 of this variety as a modern type of tree have been mastered, it will be 

 observed that the shaping of other varieties more amenable to pruning 

 treatment will have become an easier matter. The pruner will then 

 liave a confidence in himself which he did not hitherto possess. 



The Rome Beauty, particularly while under five years of age and 

 mating strong wood, produces two classes of leader growths like these 

 depicted in Plate 43. Both specimens were taken from the same three- 

 year-old tree. They are one-year-old, and were cut at their base {d) 

 from the two-year-old wood. Fig, 1 may be classed as fertile wood 

 because it contains well-developed buds. Fig. 2 may be classed as barren 

 because its buds are undeveloped and dormant. 



When pruning Fig. 1 it should be cut as shown and bud (a) induced 

 to continue the leader extension. Then the buds between (a) and {d) 

 will almost invariably send out short light laterals of a fruitful 

 character. But if cut at (fc) and the leader encouraged to extend 

 through bud (c) the buds between (c) and {d) will give out long, strong 

 laterals of an unfruitful character. The pruner must judge from liis 

 experience the distance of the outer bud above {d) to which he is to 

 cut in order to obtain the number and strength of the laterals he desires. 



If Fig. 2, the barren growth, is cut as shown the leader will continue 

 from bud (a), but, as almost invariably happens, no growths are 

 produced by the dormant buds between (a) and {d). This is the reason 

 why portions of barren leaders frequently appear in Rome Beauty 

 trees. In order to obviate this, however, the leader should be cut at {h) 

 when a strong growth containing well-developed buds will result during 

 the next period of growth. Although all the buds along this growth are 

 dormant, yet, an extension of the leader may be secured by cutting to 

 any one of them. When the strong fei'tile growth has been obtained 

 through the method of treatment described it may be cut long at next 

 pruning so as to compensate for the barren wood removed. 



When establishing a tree of this variety the primary object of the 

 pruner should be to eventually construct one with leaders, and carrying 

 their fruit wood like those shown in plates 34 and 42. When this 

 method of scientific pruning is not practised, this variety produces long 

 willowy growths and mostly carries its fruit on the points of the laterals. 

 This deprives the tree of its symmetrical appearance and practically 

 renders it unmanageable, especially when the leaders are kept hard 

 pruned, and while they are making strong wood. 



Plate 44 also depicts Rome Beauty leaders. Fig. 1 (a) to (6) is 

 two-year-old barren wood pruned too long last year, but showing yearling 

 wood with well-developed buds above the (h) cut. This should have 

 been pruned at (c) and the young growth produced from {d). This 

 specimen may be next pruned (e) and allowed to extend from (/). 

 Fig. 2 is a strong fertile growth which may be pruned at (a) to enable 

 (h) to produce the leader extension. Fig. 3 is a vigorous barren growth 

 which if cut (c) and allowed to extend from {d) will be the wrong 



