THE PECULIARITIES OF VARIETIES. 307 



result to be obtained from cutting to a bud near or 

 at a distance from the base of a shoot. On account 

 of this tendency upwards, if unmolested, the eyes 

 near the terminus of the last season's growth would 

 burst and grow, while those at the base would 

 remain dormant. But if the shoot is cut off to 

 these latter, they are stimulated and produce stronger 

 growths than those at the terminus would have 

 done. The fruit-bearing buds are scarcely ever those 

 at the base, but are generally about two-thirds of 

 the length of the shoot from it, although sometimes 

 terminal. Therefore, these dormant buds at the 

 base produce shoots which will not fruit so quickly, 

 but continue to elongate. Horizontal limbs grow 

 slowly ; and it is of importance to secure buds from 

 the base of the shoot to form them. If the limbs 

 are of equal strength, and light and air are admitted 

 freely, they will be clothed with fruit-spurs to their 

 very base, where they are capable of sustaining ten 

 times as much weight as at the terminus, and where 

 the risk of loss by winds is very small. 



Eighth, the importance of distinguishing the peculi- 

 arities of the variety to he operated upon. Some sorts 

 are very vigorous in their character ; others weak ; 

 and some of decumbent or weeping habit. In prun- 

 ing them the plan should be conformed to these 

 peculiarities rather than to a uniform system. 



Ninth, the j^reventioti and cure of disease. If the 

 subject has become exhausted by overbearing, and 



