primaries, all shoots are generally removed from the first 

 set of eyes nearest the stein, and in close jointed wood 

 even the first two sets may be removed from the 

 uppermost three pairs of lateral branches which will 

 form a clear space of ten inches or a foot in the centre of 

 each tree, at the top, gradually narrowing like an inverted 

 cone towards the ground. All shoots growing upwards, 

 downwards and inwards are also removed and strictly speak- 

 ing every alternate secondary should be removed also, as 

 without this, the first pair are apt to take an undue share 

 of sap, and by stinting those in front of them, not only oc- 

 casion great irregularity, but frequently cause the absolute 

 destruction of the primary branch. With the alternate dis- 

 tribution of secondaries, the primary is greatly strengthen- 

 ed and each secondary is as vigorous as its neighbour. 

 When a tree is thus treated it is ready to bear a good crop 

 and it would be well for every young planter to study Na- 

 ture's arrangement and symmetry and having rivetted the 

 same in his memory, endeavour to remember such as his 

 pattern for future requirements. This vigorous well shaped 

 tree is Nature's original model for future imitation, and if 

 the form of tree best suited to bear a crop in the easiest 

 way and to the greatest advantage, is once clearly remem- 

 bered; in future years the execution and manipulation, 

 connected with both handling and pruning will be 

 very materially simplified. Such a form and such 

 symmetry, cannot possibly be expected to result from in- 

 discriminate hacking, or cutting to pieces, a tree already 

 slightly debilitated with bearing its first crop^ Care is ab- 

 solutely necessary, add any work to be carried out with the 

 knife, is much better extended over two operations than all 

 done at once. All utterly useless, and dry wood may of course 

 always be removed, and fresh alternate secondaries encour- 

 aged ; but it is decidedly objectionable, unless the planter 

 is determined to uphold and maintain mathematical 

 exactness, to remove all wood simply because it has 

 born crop, at perhaps, half a dozen eyes: It will bear again, 



