THE APPLE 55 



each year until the space at disposal is filled, and the side growths 

 are pruned to three buds from the base to encourage fruit- 

 spurs. 



The summer pruning of Apples deserves careful attention, 

 as it helps the fruit by admitting sun and light, and assists the 

 development of fruit-buds and the ripening of the shoots. Sum- 

 mer pruning should not be done too early, or secondary growths 

 will form, and this is not desirable. The ideal time is during 



Apple Tree two years old. Prune at a 



late July and early August, but in late seasons vigorous trees 

 might be left for another week or so with advantage. At this 

 pruning the side growths are cut back to five leaves from the 

 base, and the leading growths are just shortened a little. In 

 the case of young trees it is often necessary to leave additional 

 growths to form branches, but this must be done judiciously to 

 avoid overcrowding. It is very important to keep the branches 

 thinly disposed, so that the sun can shine right through them 

 and reach the fruits on the inside branches. Due regard must 

 be paid to this matter when pruning and forming the trees. 



When fruit trees have been pruned too severely, and, as a 

 result, have made a quantity of vigorous shoots that produce 

 little fruit, the best plan is merely to thin out the growths by 



