Principles and Practice of Pruning. 87 



Pyramids. For pyramids (a form of training applied most fre- 

 quently to dwarf pears), the early treatment is quite different from 

 that of standards. As the sap tends to the summit of the tree, pro- 

 ducing the strongest side-shoots towards the top, and the shortest 

 and most feeble towards the bottom, the natural form of the tree 

 gradually becomes a trunk or stem with a branching head. To pre- 

 vent this result, and give a strong, broad set of branches at the 

 bottom, a thorough and regular system of shortening-down must be 

 adopted at the outset. The following is a brief outline of the course 

 usually pursued : 



After the single shoot from the bud has grown one season (Fig. 

 113), it is cut down so as to leave 

 not over one foot, and if the tree is 

 weak not over six inches (Fig. 114). 

 As a consequence, the buds on this 

 remaining portion, receiving all the 

 sap, make a vigorous growth. The 

 upper one must be converted into 

 a leader, by pinching off early the 

 tips of the others, beginning first 



with the upper ones, which will be 3 Fig II4 Fig> IIS 



the strongest, and gradually descend- 

 ing as the season advances to the lower ones, which should be left 

 the longest in order to give them the most strength (Fig. 1 1 5). Six 

 inches of naked stem below the branches should be left, by rubbing 

 off all shoots below ; and if in a region liable to deep snows, this 

 space should be a foot, to prevent splitting off the limbs by the 

 weight of the snow, and for which object the tree should not be cut 

 down lower than eighteen inches at the close of the first season. 

 The pruning after the second year's growth, consists in cutting 

 down again the leader for a second crop of side shoots ; and these 

 side shoots, and the new leader, are to be treated precisely as those 

 below were treated the year before. At the same time, the last 

 year's side shoots, on the lower part, are to be cut back ( the long- 

 est at the bottom so as to give a pyramidal form), in order to insure 

 the growth of the buds upon them. The new side shoots thus 

 caused, may be pinched off so as to convert them into fruit-spurs 

 (according to the process described hereafter in this chapter), except 

 one shoot left on each as a leader, and another, if needed, to fill up 

 the space made by the widening limbs.* The pyramid may now be 



* This summer pinching is intended only for perfect training ; in common or orchard 

 management, it is scarcely necessary. 



