CHERRIES PRUNING. 131 



The foregoing procedure applies to standard as well as espalier or wall trees whilst 

 extending. The summer pruning of standard trees is not attended to so much as they 

 require to keep the heads open and let the sunshine right down to the base of the 

 branches. Standard cherries may be as conveniently primed in their early years as 

 wall or other form of trees. This consists in removing ill-placed and superfluous shoots, 

 and shortening those desirable for converting into spurs. A tree is then reared with 

 sturdy branches, not crowded but with space between them for the head and shoulders 

 of a man for performing cultural operations, also for admitting light, air, and heat to 

 the centre of the tree. Disbudding, alluded to in forming the trees, is preferable 

 to removing superfluous growths after they become strong and woody, as there is less 

 danger of gumming ; and in removing, or thinning and shortening the spurs, which 

 are apt to form on old trees in clusters, it is best to operate in summer after the fruit 

 is gathered, thinning them neatly out, cutting away the parts furthest from the branch, 

 and retaining those nearest to it, in order that the sun may have free access, and the 

 fruit benefit by its influence. The treatment of the summer growths and spurs will 

 be made clear to the inexperienced by the engravings on the next page. 



Summer pruning should be performed in June and July, full-grown trees having all 

 the growths pinched at the fourth or fifth leaf. This includes the basal leaves, and 

 is represented in the illustration, Fig. 44, G, also the subsequent pinching. These 

 growths should be shortened early in October to an inch of their base, or just above 

 the second or third joint, counting the basal buds, which in favouring circumstances 

 will have been converted by the stopping into semi-spurs, namely, prominent double 

 or triple buds, and one a wood bud. If the last is not present, the shoot must be cut 

 back to the first wood bud beyond the fruit buds, for it is essential that all pruning 

 be made at a wood bud, or to a spur having one or more wood buds, so as to 

 provide for future growth and crops. 



Spurs ought to be thinned or shortened from the middle to the end of August, or 

 as soon afterwards as the fruit is gathered, and all pruning needed by the cherry 

 should be completed in October. The Guignes and Bigarreaus are very impatient of 

 pruning, and should be allowed to extend as much as possible until their vigour 

 becomes subdued by bearing; then they are nearly as tractable as the May Duke 

 and Morello races. Winter pruning will not be required, except for shortening shoots 

 in young trees to originate growths for furnishing them with branches in proper places. 

 This is best done in October, or in spring when the buds are swelling. 



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