THE APPLE AND THE PEAR. 233 



formed, and opposite the cut of the previous year. The 

 lateral branches on the first section are shortened ac- 

 cording to their vigor, always remembering that the 

 lowest must be the longest, to carry out the pyramidal 

 form. They should also be cut back sufficiently to 

 insure the growth of all the buds on them. This point 

 requires considerable care, for if not cut back enough, 

 the interior of the trees becomes naked, instead of being 

 supplied with shoots for bearing spurs; and if cut 

 back too far, the shoots will be too vigorous and diffi- 

 cult to control. The appearance of the buds, and habits 

 of the variety, will be a sufficient guide, if properly 

 studied. The lowest branch on the left-hand side of fig. 

 113, having failed to attain its proportionate growth, will 

 be left entire, or nearly so. 



Treatment of the growing shoots. When the buds have 

 all started, and made a growth of an inch or two, their 

 force and forwardness will indicate the uses to be made 

 of them. Each of the main branches of the first section 

 may be considered as a stem ; its leader will require the 

 same treatment to favor its extension. At this time a 

 secondary branch may be required to fill up the space, 

 which widens as the branches extend. If so, a shoot is 

 selected for this purpose, and all the others on the same 

 branch are checked at two inches, and converted into fruit 

 branches. All the laterals are treated in this way. The 

 second section, now in process of formation, must be 

 managed as directed for the first section. During the 

 first season, the requisite number of shoots is preserved, 

 and the superfluous ones removed early. The leader is 

 maintained erect ; and the laterals immediately below it, 

 being always inclined to vigorous growth, must be checked 

 to keep them in a proper condition, relative to the leader 

 and the branches below them. The leading shoot must 

 always maintain its preeminence. It often happens that 

 the lateral shoots of the main branches that have been 



