CHAPTER XV. 



GENERAL HINTS FOR PRUNING. 



WHERE standard trees have been neglected they should 

 be gradually pruned annually for two or three years, so 

 as not to cut them about too much in one season. As a 

 rule, all stone fruit is best left without pruning when 

 the trees are well established, except to remove boughs 

 that cross, and are too thick. Pruning of stone fruit 

 should be done before March, so that the risk of gumming 

 may be avoided after the sap begins to rise. 



Each description of tree almost requires special treat- 

 ment amongst standards ; as a rule it is well to use the 

 knife sparingly. With espaliers, pyramids, and cordons, 

 they are best if " pinched " early in July, unless of very 

 weakly habit, or in poor soil, when they should make as 

 much growth as possible during the summer, and be cut 

 well back in early winter, or at the autumn pruning. 

 Bush or dwarf fruit trees may be thinned out as soon as 

 the fruit is picked, and they should be pruned after the 

 fall of the leaf. 



The best cuttings can be planted for propagation ; if 

 " standard " trees are wanted, all the buds should be cut 

 out except two or three at the top. The cuttings can be 

 put in four or six inches deep, in rows about a foot apart, 

 and six inches off in the rows. 



