221 



to operate than if no proper distinction at ail were made, 

 as in most old sj^stems of tViiit-tree pruning-. 



It now reniains to be seen wliat tlie fimction of eacli of 

 the above mentioned brandies is, and how tlie desired resuit 

 oan be obtained: tliat is tlie essential point which tlie pruner 

 oug'lit to know and to observe. Firstly, the leading-hran- 

 ches innst iiot g'ive any frnit, but after liaving- been duly 

 establislied bj former short prunings, they must become 

 longer every year (more or less so, according* to the 

 vigour of gTOwth); they must bifurcate where necessary, 

 as has already been explained, and g-ive at the same tinie, 

 on their last year's wood, the beginning- of the hearing- 

 branehes of the following years, which, in order to be of 

 good shape^ shoukl rather be too weak than too strong*. If 

 then the leading -hr-ànches are left too long, the lowest 

 eyes do not break open, but remain dormant, and the fol- 

 lowing year leave empty places. If, on the contrary, they 

 are eut too short, the 6eariw(/-braiiches shoot out so vigour- 

 ously, that eveii by pinching them in sunimer and by 

 leaving the leadiiig shoot (the leader) free, as is generally 

 done, the growth caiinot be stopped. 



Such are the most important considérations with 

 respect to the hading -branches. Along thèse, the hearing- 

 branches ought to be j)laced at regular distances, and be 

 as short as possible, in order to prevent confusion and to 

 admit the free action of the sun and air, not to require too 

 much space, and also to produce and bear the fruit better. 

 Ail that remains to be done, in order to hâve them so, 

 is to eut them the first year down to the length of two or 

 three eyes oiily, whether they hâve buds or not. This 

 capital point is too often neglected, and empty spaces are 

 sooner or later the conséquences. 



Now, on the hearing -branches the fruittwigs exist 

 single and isolated, and last several years, as in ahnost ail 

 fcerwe?fruit-trees. They shoukl also be kept (by pinching, 

 breaking otf, etc.) as short as possible. In ail cases, thèse 



