252 PRUNING. 



bud. Some had no side branches, and others had. It is 

 very common for cherries, and especially the Dukes and 

 Morellos, to form a number of lateral brandies the first 

 season. Growth becomes slightly suspended, or at least 

 goes on very slowly, in July ; during this time the buds on 

 the lower part acquire a sort of maturity, and when a ne\v 

 growth commences they push and form shoots. Cherry 

 trees of this kind are in a good condition for pyramids. 

 We select from these the strongest and best situated 

 to form the lower tier of permanent branches ; the lower 

 ones are shortened to four or five buds, and the upper ones 

 to two or three. The leader or stem is cut back to within 

 six, eight, or ten buds of the branches. Those having no 

 branches are cut back to within six or eight buds of the 

 stock. And this is the first pruning. 



Treatment during the First Summer after Pruning. 

 When the young shoots have grown a couple of inches in 

 length, such as are intended for permanent branches are 

 chosen, and the others are pinched in the same manner as 

 recommended for pears and apples. Such as acquire more 

 vigor than is consistent with their position, must be 

 checked. It frequently happens that unless the leader has 

 been cut back close, only three or four shoots will be pro- 

 duced at the extremity, leaving a vacant space below. 

 This can be remedied in most cases by pinching the shoots 

 around the leader when they have grown about an inch. 

 In some cases it may be necessary even to check the 

 leader to force the lower buds into growth. This is n 

 point of considerable importance in conducting n, pyramid, 

 and should never be lost sight of. 



The Cherry as an Espalier. Except it be the training 

 of the morello, or some other late varieties, on a north 

 wall, to prolong their season of maturity, the cherry is sel- 

 dom grown as an espalier tree in this country, nor is it to 

 be recommended, except in some rare instances. The sim- 

 plest and probably the best form is that suggested for 



