THE CHERRY. 249 



The second year, if the growth has been vigorous, and 

 low trees are desired, the head may be commenced. But 

 if a stem three or four feet high be desired, it should be 

 at least one incli in diameter, and another year's growth 

 may be necessary. 



The head is formed in the same manner as described for 

 standard and dwarf apples and pears. It should be round, 

 symmetrical and open, and well furnished on all parts 

 with bearing wood. 



The bearing branches or spurs of the quince are small 

 twiggy shoots (B, fig. 121), produced on wood at least 

 two years old. These bear two, three, or more fruit buds. 

 These produce shoots two or three inches long ((7, fig. 

 121), on the point of which the fruit is borne singly. 

 These spurs have always wood buds as well as fruit buds, 

 and therefore they should be shortened back as to A, fig. 

 121 , the spring after they have borne, in order to produce 

 new spurs at the same point. 



The French train it in beautiful pyramids, on pre- 

 cisely the same principle as the penr and apple ; but the 

 leading shoot must be kept fastened to an upright sup- 

 port a small rod attached to the base on account of its 

 reclining habit. 



THE MEDLAR 



is but little cultivated. Its treatment may be exactly 

 similar to that described for the quince, its habits of 

 growth and bearing being similar. 



SECTION 3. PRUNING THE CHERRY. 



The cherry is trained in any desirable form with as 

 much facility as any of our hardy fruit trees. The 

 heart and bigarreau classes are very rapid growers, often 

 attaining the hight of six feet the first season from the 

 bud or graft, and in two years forming fine standard trees 

 11* 



