29 
to entirely rob all other parts of the tree, the plant 
soon becoming a one-sided rambling-looking object. 
To avoid this, examine at pruning time all such 
trees as are liable to grow into this form, and cut 
out entirely any shoots which are observed to be 
gross and over robust. 
All shoots left after pruning should be as equal 
in size as possible ; this will ensure uniformity of 
growth upon all sides. If, however, as is sometimes 
the case, a vigorous and gross shoot should appear 
which cannot be well dispensed with, it should be 
stopped when it has grown six or eight inches ; the 
lateral shoots afterwards produced may be again 
stopped when two or three inches in length. The 
erect-growing kinds are again somewhat difficult to 
bring into shape, as no pruning will prevent their 
growing into a close compact head, with the flowers 
all at the top of the tree, so that they cannot be 
seen on a moderately tall standard ; such sorts are 
best grown as low bushes, or as standards of 
medium height. During the growing season, when 
they have become sufficiently hardened to bend 
without breaking, let the lower shoots be brought 
down and tied to small wooden or iron hoops placed 
underneath the head of the tree, and in like manner 
bring the middle and upper shoots down. After 
this has been practised for about two seasons the 
plant will have assumed a proper shape, and then 
can easily be kept so, and that without the assis- 
tance of the hoop or further tying. 
Before commencing to prune, it is necessary to 
observe the habit of the plant, whether it be a 
