164: PRUNING. 



Fig. 53 represents a tree, the lower part of wliich 

 has ceased to grow, in consequence of over-fruiting. 

 To reduce this to a ^^yramidal shape, without pruning 

 away a very considerable portion of the tree, requires * 

 judicious pruning. Cut the lower, unnourished 

 branches back to three or four inches. Leave the 

 remainder until the next spring, when the branches 

 extending beyond the lines in the Figure are to be cut 

 oft*; but during the summer, the upper and more vigor- 

 ous branches are to be checked by pinching, and par- 

 tially depriving of leaves, in order to throw the sap 

 into the lower ones. 



Fig. 54: represents a pear tree trained as a column 

 — one of those eccentric forms attempted by French 

 gardeners, which cannot be recommended. 



ESPALIER AND QUENOUILLE TRAINING. 



Happily for fruit-growers of this country, they are 

 not compelled to resort to the laborious, artificial 

 means practiced in other countries for the production 

 of fruit ; but as it may be desirable at some time to 

 employ these methods for ornament or local conven- 

 ience, they are here given. 



In Espalier training we should commence with the 

 first summer's growth from the bud. The terminal 

 bud is pinched out in the latter part of June, and 

 when lateral shoots push forth, they are cut oft" on two 

 opposite sides, leaving those on the tw^o other sides. 

 If these push out regularly, two or three pairs are 

 allowed to remain, and the stem cut back to them. 



These are trained to the lattice or wall, and fastened 

 in the fall. The next year another pair or' two are 



