158 



PRUNING. 



Fig. 45. 



pincliing of the top shoots, this last method will restore 

 the shape without losing the growth of two or three 

 years. 



I am often pained at 

 being obliged to cut 

 away half a dozen luxu- 

 riant shoots, three to five 

 feet in length, the growth 

 of the preceding sum- 

 mer, upon a tree, which, 

 by their production, was 

 thrown entirely out of 

 balance. But most two- 

 year-old trees, if previ- 

 ously neglected, prove 

 too obstinate in their ac- 

 quired habit of growth, 

 to form easily into pyr- 

 amidal shape. The bark 

 has become too old for 

 buds to break from,with- 

 out cutting so low down 

 that one may almost 

 as well begin with bud- 

 ding the stock, thus go- 

 ing back to the very formation of nursery treatment. 



As the fruit-raiser may save several years' labor 

 and delay by selecting large trees, it will be seen 

 that it is of considerable importance to obtain those 

 that have received proper care in the proper time. 

 When well-shaped trees, tAVO to four years old, 

 cannot be procured, it is bettor to select maiden 



