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CHAPTER VI. 

 PRUNING. 



On this question there is considerable diversity of 

 opinion, and rightly so, for it admits of it. The condi- 

 tions under which the pruning is performed are so 

 different that the same practice under varying conditions 

 leads to widely different results. Therefore, study first 

 all the circumstances affecting the case, then proceed 

 accordingly. 



I will now endeavour to indicate some of the points to 

 bo studied, with directions for treatment in particular 

 cases. 



Standard and Half Standard Apples at the time of Plant- 

 ig. Supposing yon have obtained trees which have been 

 properly treated in the nursery, you will have a head 

 varying in size according to the age of the tree. The 

 considerations that would govern you as to the amount of 

 pruning to be given at planting would be these : the time 

 of planting, the condition and quality of the ground, the 

 age and the formation of the tree, and to some extent 

 the variety. If the tree is young, with a head of only 

 young growth, you may generally shorten back pretty 

 hard, especially if planted in autumn in ground that is 

 rich, and in good condition. In such a case you may 

 cut back at least two-thirds of the growth, and always 

 cut clean away any surplus number of branches. The 

 effect of this pruning under the above conditions will be 

 the production of good strong growth, and the formation 

 of a strong foundation for the future tree. But supposing 

 the tree to be older, and one that has in the head older 

 wood, upon which there may be already some fruit buds, 



