320 SOME SPECIFIC ADVICE 



causes a quick growth, and thereby exposes the 

 tree to danger from fire -blight. Removing the 

 fruit -spurs, which are very prominent in the 

 pear, persisting for several or many years, is a 

 direct and economical means of thinning the 

 fruit. It is well to keep all spurs and sprouts 

 off the trunk and the lower parts of the main 

 limbs, for if blight attacks these shoots the dis- 

 ease is apt to run down into the trunk and cause 

 irreparable damage. For spurs and buds, see 

 Figs. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 55, 56, 

 59, 60, 61, 117, 118. For pictures of trees, see 

 Figs. 116, 130, 131, 141, 142, 148, 149, 165, 191, 

 192; for dwarfs, 111, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 

 200, 201, 202, 203, 204. For treatment of body- 

 blight, consult Fig. 101. 



Plum 



In the East, most plum -growers prefer to start 

 the top about three or three and a -half feet from 

 the ground. If the top is to be sheared -in, it 

 may be started somewhat higher. Figs. 120 and 

 121 should be contrasted with Fig. 122, as show- 

 ing typical examples of headed -in and free -grow- 

 ing trees. The fruit is borne mostly on spurs, 

 and simple heading -in is not' a means of thin- 

 ning. The Japanese and native varieties, how- 

 ever, often bear on the last year's shoots (Fig. 

 224). Trees bear as well if not headed -in as 



