200 



GARDEN MANAGEMENT, 



pruning is any of the winter months between November and February, before 

 the sap begins to stir. Those trees which have produced six shoots should 

 be pruned exactly like those with eight, to form a compact head, as in fig. 4 ; 

 and when the standard tree has acquired eight main branches by these various 



Fig. 5. 



fminings, it has attained its full formation, as represented in fig. 5, where 

 they have assumed a circular cup-like form. For a few years, the growth of 

 these eight branches should be carefully watched, and each kept^s nearly as 

 possible in an equally vigorous state. Should any of them take the lead of 

 the others, so as to threaten the symmetiy of the tree, its extremity should 

 be nipped oflF in such a manner as to check its growth, and at the winter 

 pruning it should be shortened in considerably. All shoots from the stem 

 below the grafts should be rubbed off as soon as they appear. 



514. When the standard tree has reached its bearing state, the object of 

 the pruner is the production of fruit, which is best attained by giving a 

 round and cup-like form to the tree. If the branches are too rigorously 

 shortened, strong useless wood will be produced, without fruiting-spurs. If the 

 branches are well placed, let them have their free course, and they will throw out 



