56 



The pruning required is to keep the plant? compact in shape, and thin 

 out the branches when too numerous. Red and White Currants bear 

 their fruit upon one, two and three-year-old wood, also on spurs from 

 older branches ; generally, however, they bear more freely upon the 

 last year's shoots. As a rule, they require more pruning than the Black 

 Currant, and the shoots should be reduced in number when too nuuieious, 

 and shortened back to thiee or four buds. Root-pruning is not often 

 required, but sometimes it may be useful. 



Date Plum. This tree bears to a large extent upon the previous 

 season's wood, hut also upon older branches. When the branches are too 

 numerous they should be thinned out, and the last season's shoots must 

 be shortened back, as a rule. Summer pruning may be practised with 

 advantage. Root-pruning will often prove serviceable. 



Fig. The Fig usually bears two. and often three, crops in one 

 season, and the fruit is produced upon wood of various ages. But 

 little pruning is necessary, merely the removal of rank and misplaced 

 shoots. Root-pruning is sometimes very useful in checking over-luxu- 

 riant growth and promoting fertility. It is also serviceable in keeping 

 trees dwarf. 



Gooseberry The fruit ot this plant is borne upon the last season's 

 wood, and also upon spurs from older branches. The branches should 

 be thinned out sufficiently to allow light and air to penetrate freely, 

 and none ought to be allowed to rest upon the ground. Root pruning is 

 rarely necessary 



Grape. The Grape Vine bears its fruit upon the current season's 

 growth, and in order to get strong shoots it is necessary to shorten 

 back the last year's wood. In spur-pruning, tho shoots are cut back to 

 one, two or three eyes, according to their strength. When pruned 

 upon the long-rod system, half the shoots are left about half their length, 

 and the others cut back to a single eye. Summer pruning is necessary. 

 Root-pruning is not often required. 



HazeL This plant bears its nuts at or near the extremities of the 

 branches, and should be pruned so as to get an equal distribution of 

 bearing wood. Root-pruning is useful for plants that have a tendency 

 to over-luxuriant growth. 



Loquat. The fruit of this tree is borne at the extremities of the 

 current year's growth, and but little pruning is usually required, merely 

 the removal of misplaced branches, and reducing their number when too 

 many. The most favourable time for pruning is immediately after the 

 fruit is gathered. Root-pruning is seldom necessary. 



Mulberry. This tree bears its fruit upon young shoots of the current 

 season's growth, and on spurs from two-year-old wood. In pruning, all 

 that is necessary is the removal of rank shoots, and crossed or crowded 

 branches. Root-pruning may be practised with advantage in the case of 

 over-luxuriant trees. 



Olive. This tree requires but little in the way of pruning after the 

 heads are formed, all that is necessary being to regulate growth by 

 thinning, and the removal of rank shoots. Root-pruning is useful in 

 bringing over-luxuriant trees into a fertile condition. The most favour- 



