10 March, 1917.] Apple Ctilftire in Victoria. 157 



during the whole of the period of growth, and in consequence the fruit 

 buds for the ensuing year have to suffer. 



When dealing with the pruning of tlie Five Crown in tlie ordinary 

 manner it was stated that, on account of the habit of the tree being 

 to furnisli its leaders with natural frviit spurs, the laterals may be 

 removed. However, as the Five Crown is a pronounced biennial 

 cropper, and as laterals under these conditions may be utilized to sonie 

 extent to minimise this defect, those of the Five Crown afford the best 

 illustration :n this connexion, and consequently they have been selected. 

 When a tree yields a heavy crop of fruit, it is usually produced on the 

 spurs and laterals, when retained, over two years old. The tree 

 should be kept in such a condition by pruning as to prevent its bearing 

 an excepticnallv heavy crop any year. A succession of growths eligible 

 to bear on the off year may be maintained through judiciously manipu- 

 lating the young laterals. 



Plate 76 shows three Five Crown laterals which may be regarded as 

 illustrating the method of obtaining eligible fruiting wood. Fig. 1 is 

 one year old, showing leaf buds only, and it was produced duringr the 

 year of a light crop. The next year, that of a heavy crop, it will furnish 

 itself with fruit buds like Figs. 2 and 3, and thus be eligible to bear 

 fruit on the following year of a light crop. If allowed to remain un- 

 pruned like Fig. 2 the stronger fruit buds will be develojied near (a), 

 the position of last year's tei-minal bud, but if pruned like Fig. 3 (a), 

 stronger fruit buds will be built up near the base of the lateral. The 

 phase of fruit-growing relating to biennial cropping has for 

 some time received attention. Complete success in the matter 

 has not yet been achieved, but the idea of procuring eligible 

 fruiting wood in the tree is based on sound logical con- 

 clusions. Intense cultivation and the liberal application of manures 

 are helpful, but the results of investigation and experiments are not 

 sufficiently comprehensive to warrant a definite pronouncement in this 

 regard. 



Summary of Pruning. 



In dealing with the subject of pruning it may be stated that varie- 

 ties mostly showing distinctive characteristics, whch embrace whole or 

 in part those of all the varieties cultivated commercially in this State, 

 have been chosen as illustrations. 



It almost invariably happens that when illustrations are selected for 

 the purpose of instruction the sequence ob.served is to commence with 

 the s.mpler forms and to conclude with the more difficult ones. The 

 sequence in this case, however, has been reversed, for reasons already 

 explained, and it is thought that by so doing the desired object will 

 be achieved. 



In all probability the introduction of new varieties will accompany 

 the increasing apple-growing industry in the Commonwealth, and their 

 habits of growth, (fee, will require to be closely watched so as to pre- 

 vent the jilanting of inferior varieties, and to deal with their pruning 

 requirements. 



A single glance at a tree, whether he knows the name of the 

 variety or not, is sufficient to enable a scientific pruner to determine its 

 pruning needs. 



{Tn he colli i nil id .) 



