260 PRUNING. 



stakes are inserted in the ground, to which the three 

 branches are fastened ; it is supposed that if these stakes 

 be sunk as far from the base of the tree as the roots ex- 

 tend, and in an upright position, there will be a sufficient 

 opening or space in the center. The branches should be 

 thus brought out about August, so that the formation of 

 new layers of wood subsequent to that time may fix them 

 in their places. The side shoots, which are produced on 

 the young branches, towards the latter part of the season^ 

 designated by the French bourgeois anticipes, are pinched 

 to one or two leaves. 



Second Pruning. The spring following, the branches are 

 loosed from the stakes, and shortened to within six or eight 

 inches of their base, to a leaf bud on the outside or front 

 of the branch, and with a bud below it, either on the right 

 or left side. The front bud continues the main branch, 

 and the side bud forms a secondary branch. The three 

 branches are pruned in this way, taking care that the 

 secondary branch on each is on the same side, so that two 

 of them can not come in contact. To favor the growth of 

 these new shoots, all those situated below them that acquire 

 too much vigor, musk be pinched at three or four leaves. 



A wooden hoop may now be placed in the center, to 

 which the branches are attached to keep them in their 

 places. In this way the tree progresses ; every year one 

 or more secondary branches are produced, the main 

 branches increase in length, and fruit shoots are produced 

 on all the intervals of the branches on their two sides. 



All shoots that push either inside or in front of the vase 

 are pinched off, and pinching is practised at all times to 

 maintain equal growth between the different parts, and to 

 check any too great tendency of the sap to the ex- 

 tremities. 



Third Pruning. The fruit branches are pruned to 

 three or four buds, to induce the lower wood buds to push 

 and form new wood for the next season. 



