i8z THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



three to five branches from the stem on different sides and varied levels. No hollow or 

 basin for holding water is then formed between the branches, as occurs when they start 

 from nearly the same level, as is shown at 1 in the tree K( Fig. 46). Each of the four 

 branches is cut back in winter at 2, leaving a length of 6 inches. From these it is 

 usual to allow eight growths the following year, two from each branch, but six branches 

 so near the stem are quite enough. The six branches are pruned to outside buds one foot 

 above their base to cause the tree to spread as shown by the dotted lines emanating from 

 buds below the upper bars (4). By pruning to inside buds, as shown by the lower bars 

 (3), upright growths issue, crowding and thus spoiling the tree. 



Another tree of an entirely different stamp is shown in the engraving L. Its four 

 branches originating at different levels give much more space between the principal 

 arms, which become stronger in consequence and more fruitful. After heading at 

 1, all growths on the stem but the four branches are rubbed off, these four 

 branches being kept as nearly as possible equal in vigour by pinching. They arc 

 shortened in winter at 2, leaving them 10 or 12 inches long, cutting in this case to 

 inside buds as the habit of the tree is spreading. The following year two growths are 

 encouraged to extend from each branch, all others being pinched in summer and cut 

 back in autumn as shown by the bars across the small shoots. The extremities of the 

 branches are cut back to 12 or 15 inches, as shown at 3, and the tree becomes 

 furnished with stout branches and fruitful spurs. As a rule the greater the number 

 of branches a tree has when planted the less it is pruned, on the assumption that the 

 more numerous the branches the greater the weight of fruit. That is a grievous 

 mistake, for too many branches, as has been previously shown, crowd the tree and 

 prevent the formation of fruit buds. 



A characteristic tree is shown in M 9 with a clean stem and three branches 

 emanating at different but not greatly distant levels. The shortening of these to G 

 inches (2) gives rise to six branches. These cut back in due time where marked (3) 

 to outside buds 12 to 15 inches from their base, twelve branches are secured, which is a 

 proper number for the framework of either a dwarf or standard tree. A forked tree 

 marked for a fourth pruning is shown in the illustration N\ but it is not usual to fork 

 the branches more than twice, unless the annual growths exceed 15 inches ; then their 

 points are cut off. The natural propensity of all fruit trees is to branch at the 

 extremity of the annual growth, two branches emerging from one without pruning, 

 as depicted in the engraving (r), instead of pushing a single growth in continuation of 



