PRUNING AND AFTER MANAGEMENT. 303 



mer as the leading shoot is ten inches long, its end must be pinched 

 off, and if it pushes forth two or more shoots, pinch all off but one 

 to about two inches, leaving the topmost for a leader ; the side shoots 

 will in most cases assume a regular shape ; if not, they may be this 

 first season tied to slight stakes to make them grow in the proper 

 direction. This is the best done by bringing down and fastening 

 the end of each shoot, to a slight stake, so that an open pyramid 

 may be formed ; for if it is too close and cypress-like, enough air is 

 not* admitted to the fruit ; they may remain unpruned till the end 

 of August, when each shoot must be shortened to within eight buds 

 of the stem ;* this will leave the tree like the preceding figure, and 

 no pruning in winter will be required. 



The second season the trees will make vigorous growth ; the side 

 shoots which were topped last August will each put forth three, four, 

 or more shoots ; as soon as these are four inches long they must be 

 pinched off to within three inches, all but the leading shoot of each side 

 branch ; this must be left on, to exhaust the tree of its superabundant 

 sap, till the end of August. The perpendicular leader must be top 

 ped once or twice ; in short, as soon as it has grown ten inches, pinch 

 off its top, and if it breaks into two or three shoots, pinch them all 

 but the leader, as directed for the first season ; in a few years, most 

 symmetrical trees may be formed. 



When they have attained the height of six or eight feet, and still 

 continue to grow vigorously, it will be necessary to commence root- 

 pruning to bring them into a fruitful state. 



I have thus far given directions for those who are inclined to rear 

 their own pyramids. Much time and attention are required ; but 

 the interest attached to well-trained pyramids will amply repay the 

 young cultivator. 



I will now endeavor to give directions for the management of trees 

 adapted for the gardener of mature age, who feels somewhat impa 

 tient if his trees do not begin at once to be fruitful. A most valu 

 able auxiliary to precocious fruitfulness in pears is the quince stock ; 

 pears grafted on it may be safely recommended for all soils of mod 

 erate depth and fertility, and even for light and sandy soils I am 

 induced to advise it, only in those circumstances the trees must have 

 more care and higher cultivation. In soils of that nature I should 

 recommend the surface of the soil round the tree to be covered 

 during June. July, and August, with short grass, moss, or manure, 

 and to give them once a week, in dry weather, a drenching with 

 guano water, (about two pounds to six gallons,) which must be well 

 stirred before it is used ; each tree should have twelve gallons poured 

 gradually into the soil : by this method the finest fruit may be pro- 



* There are generally three or four abortive buds at the base of each shoot ; 

 these must not be reckoned. 



