SHAPING THE YOUNG TREE 213 



it is assumed that the operator desires to have a 

 distinct trunk to his tree, and to start the top at 

 a height of three feet or more from the ground. 

 It is upon this assumption that nurserymen prune 

 their trees, making a single shaft. Persons who 

 wish a very low -topped tree, therefore, may find 

 difficulty in obtaining it from the strong -bodied 

 trees which the nurserymen supply. When it is 

 desired that the limbs shall start low, it is gen- 

 erally best to buy yearling trees. These carry 

 strong, live buds on the main shaft, with very few 

 or weak side branches. What side branches may 

 exist are cut off, and the tree is headed -back to 

 a single whip, so that side branches are 

 thrown out freely near the base of the 

 plant. Fig. 140 illustrates such treat- 

 ment. At the expiration of the first 

 year, the tree should look something 

 like that in Fig. 141, at which time 

 some of the branches may be removed, 

 leaving only as many as it is desired 

 shall form the main or scaffold limbs. 

 Some fruit-growers prefer to allow the 

 leader to continue in trees of this kind ; 

 but it is usually desirable to take out 

 the leader and to allow the tree to 

 form all its top upon four to six main 

 branches, which arise at intervals 

 along the short trunk. Two -year- old ming to a " 

 trees may also be trimmed to a whip, whip. 



