220 SOME SPECIFIC ADVICE 



ing condition in our trees at too early an age, 

 and this is the very end we are trying to defeat. 



"The necessary pruning during the following 

 two or three years does not materially differ from 

 that described for the third year. Let the aim 

 be a symmetrical low, somewhat round-headed 

 tree the top ought not to be too full of wood 

 and not too thin! Do not expect that every tree 

 can be pruned so as to assume an ideal form, 

 for in this you will be disappointed. No two 

 trees have exactly the same habit of growth. 

 Some are tall and close, others spreading and 

 willowy. All may be vastly improved by an in- 

 telligent use of the knife during the early years 

 of the tree's growth. At the age of four or five 

 years we find cherry, plum, and even apple and 

 pear, rapidly developing fruit buds. And as 

 this condition becomes evident, the use of the 

 knife had better be gradually discontinued. All 

 the pruning necessary on bearing trees is to en- 

 courage a proper development of the leading 

 shoots, and if these are making a growth of over 

 twenty -four inches annually, they ought to be 

 shortened -in to encourage a stocky habit of tree. 

 All weak shoots appearing lower down on the 

 tree should be cut back to within an inch or two 

 of the limbs, thereby forming a full and correct 

 system of fruit -spurs on every part of the tree." 



In contrast to this instruction for the low 

 heading of trees, I insert directions given by T. 



