536 



THE APPLE. 



inches, or so as to leave threo eyes upon each (fig. 357, A a). By 

 shortening the shoot, strength is thrown into the fruit, and, during 

 summer, two or more fruit-buds are generally produced at the bottom 

 of the shoot thus cut down (fig. 357, b b), or, otherwise, from the lower 

 part of the spur (fig. 357, c). It sometimes occurs that when the tree 



Fig. 357. 



Spur-pruning, fourth year. 



is very vigorous, some of the buds (fig. 357, b b) will push into shoots, 

 or occasionally into bloom, during the latter end of summer. If shoots, 

 they are allowed to grow, and are then shortened, as described for 

 similar shoots ; but, when bloom is produced, it is immediately cut 

 off close under the blossom. 



The shoots (fig. 356, c) produced after the third year's winter 

 pruning are allowed to grow, and are then shortened, as already 

 directed for similar shoots (see second year's summer pruning). The 

 shoots which were pruned as directed last winter, and had embryo buds 

 (fig. 356, d d) during this summer generally have a fruit-bud, and in 

 some cases two, formed at their bases. The treatment of all shoots 

 produced upon any of the spurs in future is agreeably to the previous 

 instructions given. 



Always thin the fruit, and where two are situated together, take one 

 away this is done when they begin to swell. 



Fourth Year. Winter Pruning. The spurs (fig. 357, A B) which 

 were productive last summer, and upon which a shoot was made and 

 shortened (fig. 357, a, spur A), are now regulated in the following 

 manner : If there be two good fruit-buds formed upon the stem of 

 the spur (fig. 357, d d, spur B), all that part of it above such buds is 

 cut away, about a quarter of an inch above the uppermost (as at c) ; 

 but, if there is only one good fruit-bud upon the stem, and one upon 

 the shoot which was cut in during summer (as at a, spur A), then it is 

 pruned off (as at spur c, ee), so that two buds only remain (as at//). 

 When there is only one fruit-bud upon the stem of the spur (as spuro, 

 ), and no fruitful buds at the shoot (b), then the spur is pruned 

 away (as at c). Sometimes the spurs that bear fruit will not have a 

 shoot produced, but, instead of it, a fruitful bud (as spur E, a) ; it is 

 then pruned off just above such bud (as at b). 



