64: AN UPWARD AND OUTWARD GROWTH. 



* 



weakest are near the ground. The plan of pruning 

 should then be directed to check in degree the up- 

 ward flow of sap, so that it may be disseminated in 

 the lower branches, strengthening the weak ones, 

 and developing the dormant buds. Unless these 

 preventive measures are at once taken with trees 

 grown so closely together as in the nursery row, the 

 buds on many of the lower branches will certainly 

 not unfold. When a one or two-years old tree is 

 planted in the garden or orchard, it is a simple and 

 easy matter to change the flow of sap from the top 

 branches to those nearer the ground. But if neg- 

 lected for several years, it becomes a difficult task, 

 or the mistake is discovered when it is too late to 

 remedy it. 



To prune for a pyramidal tree, each branch 

 should be longer than the one immediately above it, 

 and the plan of the operator should be to encourage 

 an upward and outward growth, and always to leave 

 the tree open enough to admit the sun and air, other- 

 wise the fruit near the body of the tree will be mis- 

 shapen and unmarketable. 



If the grower is very anxious to have regularly 

 formed trees, a bud may be inserted, when necessary 

 to fill up a vacant space. 



Some varieties, such as the Duchesse d'Angou- 

 leme, Flemish Beauty, Urbaniste, Sheldon and Bart- 



