DWARF APPLES 69 



shoots are allowed to make headway, the form of 

 the tree is spoiled. Even if they are cut out after a 

 year's growth, thus retaining somewhat the form of 

 the tree, the fruit spurs are thereby lost. It is the busi- 

 ness of the fruit grower, therefore, to pinch back these 

 shoots which start along the horizontal stem, and 

 this pinching is done at a comparatively early stage 

 of their growth. Usually the first pinching should be 

 given when the stems have grown long enough so 

 as to have seven or eight leaves. These shoots are then 

 cut or pinched back to three leaves. If the tree is in 

 good vigorous condition, these shoots will soon start 

 into growth once more. Again they have to be 

 pinched. This time the pinching comes a little earlier, 

 taking the shoot when it reaches only about five 

 leaves and the pinching is still more severe. The 

 shoots may start into growth a third time or even a 

 fourth time, but each time they are pinched back 

 sooner and more severely than before. In most cases 

 two or three pinchings will suffice. These constant 

 repressions of growth tend to secure the formation 

 of fruit spurs and fruit buds along the horizontal 

 trunk of the tree. 



Some slight modifications of the plan here out- 

 lined will develop themselves in experience. In par- 

 ticular it will be found that different varieties require 

 slightly different handling. Some form fruit spurs 

 more readily than others. With certain varieties it 

 is very difficult to repress the rampant habit of growth 

 and to secure a proper formation of fruit buds. These 

 differences, however, are of minor importance as 

 compared with the general management of the tree. 



