I 3 6 THE FRUIT GROWERS GUIDE. 



and all superfluous shoots are best cut out as soon as the fruit is gathered. When the 

 leaves have fallen, the trees should be untied or unnailcd, cutting out any parts that 

 escaped at prior thinnings, cleansing the walls and trees, then re-adjusting the latter to 

 the wall. This work is often deferred until spring, but it ought not to be, for when the 

 sap is active the bark is easily damaged, and wounds invariably produce gum, therefore 

 avoid injuries to the bark and tight fixtures. The earlier these operations are completed 

 in the autumn, the better for the health of the trees. These remarks apply to all 

 varieties as well as to the Morello. 



Bush and Pyramid Trees. Cherries are very prolific in either of those forms, the 

 Duke and Morello races being the most appropriate. It is, however, extremely difficult 

 to keep the fruit from birds. The trees may be grown in "fruit cages," Vol. I., page 192. 

 Bush trees may be trained in goblet or cup form, with seven or more branches. These 

 will in late May or early June have pushed several shoots near their ends, all of which 

 must be pinched to three leaves when five are made, leaving, however, the leader to each 

 untouched till ten leaves are made, then pinch it to eight leaves. If the trees are not 

 too strong at the roots, this pruning will be sufficient for the season, but if laterals 

 appear they must be pinched if they extend beyond two leaves, those of the leading 

 growths to three leaves. To induce fertility and check luxuriance, the trees may be 

 lifted towards the end of September, and if this be practised biennially, it affords dwarf 

 trees little larger than gooseberry bushes. The trees must be on the Mahaleb stock. 



If large bushes are desired, the side growths should be shortened in June to three 

 leaves, pinching those on the upper parts a week before those on the lower to give 

 strength to the lower part of the tree, and if they break again, pinch them to two leaves, 

 but the leader in most cases will take off the superfluous sap, the buds only swelling to 

 form blossom or spurs. The leader from each branch may be pinched to twelve leaves, 

 more or less according to its vigour, or shortened at the end of August to eight leaves, 

 always to a wood bud. When the trees are full-sized the leaders may be treated the 

 same as the side growths ; the chief pruning then required consists in thinning the spurs 

 and shortening those which become too long. 



As pyramids the Duke and Morello races on the Mahaleb are handsome and useful. 

 They may be originated in a similar manner to apple trees in that form, taking care to 

 have the branches regularly disposed at about 12 inches apart, and treating their side 

 growths as described for bush trees. In a few years symmetrical trees may be formed, 

 and thev may be kept very compact after any height is reached, by close pinching and 



