i8 FRUIT GROWING FOR AMATEURS 



few fruits, especially in the cas of Pluim and Pears. These 

 growths should be thinned out rather than removed entirely. 

 Retain the better placed ones, and shorten them to about one- 

 third of their length. As a result fruit buds will form, and 

 more fruit will be obtained. When dealing with trees of this 

 description, root pruning will do much to restore them to fruit- 

 fulness. Severe branch pruning is useless, for it only results 

 in rank growths at the expense of fruit. 



The management of bush trees, especially Apples, some- 

 times presents difficulties after the trees have been established 

 ten or twelve years, and have filled their allotted space. A 

 plan which answers admirably is to leave a side shoot when 

 summer pruning, about 18 inches below the top of each branch, 

 and in the winter shorten back the branch to this growth, which 

 should be pruned to one-third of its length. The trees will 

 thus be kept clear of one another, and the operation can be re- 

 peated as necessary, taking care to cut back to a different point 

 each time. The advantage of shortening back the branches in 

 this way will be apparent, for otherwise thick clusters of spurs 

 form at the extremities of the branches. This is unsatisfactory, 

 and the fruits decrease in size, as it is not possible to encourage 

 fresh growth, which is so essential. It is common to see trees 

 that have failed to produce satisfactory crops, and means are 

 often necessary to bring about the desired improvement. 



Root pruning will often work wonders. In other cases, 

 however, it is well to saw off the branches to within 2 or 3 feet 

 of the main stem. After this, pare the cuts over with a sharp 

 knife and dress them with gas tar. The trees so treated will 

 make vigorous growths, which must be duly thinned out and 

 pruned, and in a year or two fine fruits will be produced on the 

 young wood. Apples and Pears succeed under this treatment, 

 and there are many trees that would be improved if taker 

 in hand on the lines recommended. As a general rule, large trees 

 and those of ungainly proportions will derive most benefit by 

 having the branches headed backj 



