PYRAMIDS 13 



each tree. Buy trees trained as pyramids direct from the 

 nursery. If you prefer maidens (trees one year old) 

 train as follows : In early spring, after planting, stop 

 the tree slightly, and encourage growth ; next winter 

 cut it down almost to the stock. A strong shoot from 

 the base must now be made the leader and the central 

 stem. Next winter cut this back to within 18 inches of 

 the ground. The highest shoot next season must be 

 trained upwards by a straight stake ; the side shoots will 

 form branches. These in September must be brought 

 (by stakes) into a horizontal position. The stronger 

 must be more depressed, the weaker may be left for 

 another year. Bend into position before the sap sinks. 

 In winter reduce side shoots on branches to two or three 

 eyes. Cut the leading shoot 12 or 15 inches (according 

 to growth or soil) above the branch below it, so as to 

 produce fresh branches. Bend these down as before. 

 As the tree progresses, the leading shoot may be 

 stopped in summer when it has grown a foot, so as to 

 throw out more branches ; it may grow another foot up- 

 wards by September, and also send out fresh branches. 

 Every care should be taken to keep an upright and 

 straight stem. In summer pruning check the upper 

 branches before the lower, stopping the terminal shoots 

 so that they shall not spread out further than those 

 below them. Stop them when they have grown 8 or lo 

 inches, removing the top. Any shoots from the branches 

 (laterals) must be reduced to six or seven leaves about 

 mid-June (on young trees), so as to open the tree and con- 

 centrate growth on necessary parts, and also to produce 

 bloom-buds. These may form near the base. In winter 

 reduce to two or three eyes. 1 Pyramids on the Pear Stock 

 in strong soil reach a height of 15 to 25 feet, but such 

 trees are hard to manage. Weak growing sorts might be 



1 See elaborate account in the "Watson's G.'s Assistant," vol. iv. 

 p. 116. 



