,82 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



ground. By the procedure represented in Fig. 35, Q, R, present volume, page 135. the tree 

 will cover a large extent of wall surface by the third year, and commence bearing fruit. 



Cordon. This form, whether against walls or for espaliers, is carried out in the same 

 manner as detailed for apricots (Vol. II., pages GO 62), as regards upright and diagonal, 

 horizontal cordon training being treated on pages 21 23, Vol. II. This only applies 

 to the leading growths or branches, for the mode of bearing in plums is somewhat 

 different from that of apricots and apples and will be treated under " Pruning." 



Espaliers The trees may be in fan form or oblique cordons. Horizontal training, as 

 applied to the apple and pear, is not suitable for plums, and cordon training often necessi- 

 tates root-pruning to check excessive growth. With proper attention to lifting, keeping 

 the soil firm and the surface mulched, the trees are very fertile. 



Bushes and Pyramids. These very desirable forms for gardens may be shaped from 

 the maiden by the methods described under " Pyramid Training," Vol. II., pages 1 10 ; 

 "Bush Training," Vol. II., pages 1015 ; or that detailed under "Apricots," Vol. II. , 

 pages 79 80. These forms answer for gardens with the essential pruning for plums. 

 Growers for market do not practise close pruning after shortening to secure the necessary 

 number of branches, but the trees are allowed to assume their natural form and the 

 branches are thinned when necessary, to prevent overcrowding. 



PRUNING. 



To operate successfully it is essential to have a right knowledge of the mode of 

 bearing. The fruit is produced on the shoots of the preceding year, and on spurs. 

 Characteristic summer growths are represented in the illustrations, Fig. 47, MR. 



Summer Pruning. It may be a wise saying that the less pruning the better for 

 bearing. Terse advice, however, may lose force through its exclusiveness, and not to 

 prune at all can only apply to trees which have passed the vigour of youth. When a 

 tree has its growths confined to short stubby shoots, pruning would practically mean 

 cutting off the following season's crop more or less. A tree bearing as in Fig. 47, M, 

 does not admit of the use of the knife. The fruit of such tree may, however, be improved 

 by a judicious thinning of the spurs and the removal of weak parts immediately the 

 crop is gathered by far the best time for the work. 



When a tree makes vigorous summer growth, n, it is at the expense of fruit pro- 

 duction, and by shortening such shoots at the winter pruning wood formation is still 

 further augmented. By leaving the tshoot n its full length it will usually form 



