152 



PPvUNING. 



thinned so as to leave the remaining ones well bal- 

 anced around the stem. Select one for a leader, that 



Fig. 35. 



Fig. 86. 



as nearly as possible occupies the centre of the group, 

 and starts near the top. All the shoots ought now to 

 be shortened in such a manner as to induce a cone 

 shape to the tree. To effect this, the lower ones 

 should be cut back to six or eight inches, the next 

 reduced two inches more, and the next still more, 

 until, as we approach the leader, the side shoots must 

 be shortened to two or three buds. From this time, 

 with proper attention to summer pinching, 2)runing 

 might be almost entirely dispensed with; but as few 

 persons will or can bestow the requisite labor, we 

 shall still adapt the instructions to the ordinary con- 

 dition of trees. 



