24 THE BOOK OF THE APPLE 



essential point to be observed in pruning, therefore, is 

 so to regulate the branches that they are in no way 

 crowded, but are sufficiently far apart to allow of the 

 free admittance of sun and air, two most important factors 

 in successful fruit culture. It is not possible definitely to 

 state the distance apart that each of the main branches 

 should be, because with different varieties the habit of 

 growth varies considerably ; what would be ample room 

 for one kind might mean that a stronger-growing sort 

 would be unduly crowded. Each variety must be 

 treated according to its individuality, and for any special 

 characters attaching to certain varieties the reader is 

 referred to the chapter dealing with the best sorts of 

 apples. Generally speaking, however, the main branches 

 of an apple tree need to be quite fifteen inches apart. 

 During the first few years of the life of the tree, but 

 little pruning is necessary. The object of the cultivator 

 should be to encourage the young tree to grow well, 

 so as to form for itself a good foundation, allowing all 

 shoots to grow unchecked during the summer time, and 

 just slightly shortening the principal ones at the winter 

 pruning. It is a good plan to remove all blossom buds 

 that show for the first two years or more, if the tree 

 is not growing satisfactorily. 



Pruning is now by almost all practical fruit-growers 

 divided into two phases, namely, summer and winter 

 pruning. The older school of gardeners were in the habit 

 of allowing all growths made during summer to go 

 unchecked and undisturbed until the winter pruning, 

 generally performed in January. That such, however, 

 was a mistake is now generally recognised ; the result 

 of allowing these shoots to develop freely and vigorously 

 throughout the growing season and then cutting them hard 

 back in the winter, being to produce a mass of growth in 

 the following season ; the three or four buds to which the 

 summer shoot was cut down, all becoming wood buds, 



