l8o THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



year it produces a leading shoot strong enough for heading at the right height, as shown 

 by the bar (1) in E. If a tree is gross or more than a year old, and has formed laterals, 

 three or four of those, properly placed, may be chosen to form main branches, shortening 

 each to a sound bud nearest the stem, as represented by the four upper bars in F, other 

 growths to be removed ; but to form a cup-shaped tree with a short stem it must be shor- 

 tened to the bar (2). A yearling tree, however, which has not branched and has good 

 buds all along the stem, is preferable. When these push select three or four of the 

 strongest and best-situated shoots, removing the others ; and allow those retained to 

 extend, pinching any side-shoots that may issue at the second or third leaf. A tree 

 treated as described is shown with four branches in G. These are cut back to outside 

 buds 6 inches from their base, as indicated by the bars. The cutting to outside buds 

 is to counteract the semi-erect habit of the tree and cause it to spread and thus provide 

 more space between the branches. 



The following season two shoots are encouraged from the upper buds of each branch, 

 all others being stopped. Allow the leading branches to extend unless some are exces- 

 sively strong ; then they may be pinched to ensure equality of vigour and to strengthen 

 their base. Suppress side-growths by pinching to four good leaves. In the autumn 

 or early spring shorten the eight main branches to 6 or 8 inches of the base of the 

 summer growth, cutting back all side-shoots to one or two buds, and they will probably 

 form spurs, and, if not, will assist the thickening of the branches and not prejudice the 

 naturally-formed spurs. 



A tree marked for its third pruning is represented in H a tree with eight branches. 



From each of these two shoots are taken, the treatment being a repetition of that of the 



preceding season on corresponding growths. Early -bearing trees afford fruit the fourth 



year, but care must be taken not to overcrop them. By the autumn we have a sturdy 



example of the cup form, with a succession of branches as nearly as possible of equal 



vigour, as shown in J a tree with sixteen branches about 9 inches apart, which is a 



sufficient distance, for the branches spread as they get older, and the framework of the 



tree is now secured. If the leading shoots are not more than 15 inches in length they 



are left entire, as shown in the engraving, but if longer they are cut back about the 



height named, and the following season one of the best growths from each cut-back 



leading branch is selected as leader ; the rest must be pinched. In the fifth autumn a 



tree treated as described presents a promising aspect, as represented in J. 



Forked Form. This is simple and useful. A substantial tree is attained by starting 



