68 DWARF FRUIT TREES 



The formation of the tree is discussed under another 

 head. It remains to be said only that careful and 

 intelligent pruning are required to keep any dwarf 

 apple tree to its work. The more complicated and 

 the more restricted the form of the tree, the more 

 careful and continuous must be this pruning. The 

 general system may be outlined in comparatively few 

 words, and may be explained in its simplest form as 

 applied to the treatment of a horizontal cordon. Each 

 horizontal cordon, perfectly formed and full grown, 

 should have fruit spurs throughout its horizontal 

 length, which may be from three to fifteen feet. The 

 upright portion of the trunk, from the point where 

 the graft is set to the angle made by the bending down 

 of the stem, should be kept clean and bare. Constant 

 care is required to remove the sprouts from this por- 

 tion of the tree, especially such as come up from the 

 stock. At the further end of the horizontal portion 

 there should be one, two, or three strong shoots 

 allowed to push forth each year. These may be 

 called leaders. They represent the principal wood 

 growth in each tree. They draw up the sap from the 

 roots, their leaves elaborate this sap, and from them 

 the digested material is sent back for the support of 

 the tree and the ripening of the fruit. They are al- 

 lowed to take an upright or nearly upright position 

 and their growth is encouraged. On all other por- 

 tions of the tree growth is sternly restricted, when 

 not altogether repressed. 



There is a constant tendency for strong shoots to 

 start into growth all along the horizontal part of the 

 stem and especially near the bend. If any of these 



