36 THE FRUIT GROWERS GUIDE. 



In the following year the leading growths, as shown in Fig. 9 B, C, or others, are 

 trained at equal distances to form the main branches. These must be encouraged by 

 pinching the side growths to about five leaves, and any strong shoots calculated to rob 

 the leaders should be removed. It is important that the bush be kept open in the 

 centre, and the main branches so far apart as to allow sunlight and air to freely circu- 

 late among them, as only thus can fruitful spurs be formed for bearing. In some 

 cases nut trees are allowed to grow as they please, and often bear very well, but those 

 properly managed afford the largest and best produce. 



Pruning. The leading growths require to be shortened in winter to cause them to 

 push side shoots along their whole length ; otherwise they would be irregularly fur- 

 nished with bearing wood. The extent of the cutting back depends on the length and 

 strength of the shoots, also on the system of training and variety. On the Kent semi- 

 horizontal system, two-thirds may be cut off weak, one-half off moderate, and one-third 

 off strong shoots ; so that the weakly bush is made to push stronger growth, and the 

 strong tree is induced to make fruitful wood. The more erect cup-shaped bush may 

 have the leading shoots topped in summer, as in training a cup-shaped apple tree. Little 

 winter shortening will then be required. This is the better course to adopt with strong 

 leaders, as close pruning in winter only causes exuberant growth. The leading shoots are 

 only to be considered as such until the limit is reached ; then they are treated as side 

 shoots. These should be cut back in autumn to two or three buds. Shoots will then 

 push close to the main branch, and if not too luxuriant they will form blossom buds ; 

 but if the shoots are too numerous they must be thinned, and the strong checked or 

 removed so as to equalise the flow of sap. An occasional shoot, bearing plenty of 

 catkins, is left 6 or 8 inches long to afford pollen. 



To prune nut trees successfully it is important to understand that the fruit is pro- 

 duced upon the upper part of the young shoots ; also on short twigs or spurs. The 

 nut is monoecious, the male blossoms (catkins) produced separately from the others, and 

 both open before the leaves. The male flowers are conspicuous, long, slender, and 

 pendulous, greyish in colour, but the pollen of the anthers is a pale yellow or gold. 

 The female flowers are comparatively inconspicuous, and consist of tufts of crimson 

 styles protruded from the bud, and these often have their stigmas so injured by spring 

 frosts as to prejudice the prospects of the crop. The nuts are produced terminally, 

 solitary, or in clusters. The illustration, Fig. 10, will assist beginners to a knowledge 

 of the various parts of nut-tree growth. 



