58 FRUIT CULfUItti. 



Bash Apples. In pruning this class of tree, a great deal 

 will depend upon the variety, some growing so much 

 stronger than others. In the first place, taking a variety 

 that makes but little growth, all the pruning that is ne- 

 cessary when the tree is procured, supposing it to be two 

 or three years old, and the number of shoots from four 

 to eight, will be as follows. The main object will be to 

 open the centre of the tree. This is done by simply 

 cutting the shoots that may be crossing each other to 

 within two or three eyes of the base of the shoot. The 

 leading branches may then be cut back about two- thirds 

 of their length to an outer bud. This may be repeated 

 each succeeding year, bearing in mind the form of the 

 tree desired. The result of the pruning will have been 

 to stimulate wood growth and the formation of fruit 

 spurs. A tree with the centre well opened, fully exposed 

 to the sun and air, is capable of producing large and fine 

 flavoured fruit. 



With regard to the stronger growing varieties, the 

 pruning will be much the same, only that the leading 

 shoots will not require to be cut back so closely as the 

 weaker growing kinds ; they must be allowed more free- 

 dom of growth, which will result in the development of 

 fruit spurs instead of rampant wood growth, and when 

 once in fruit they will check themselves naturally. When 

 the trees have reached the height of from four to six feet 

 the leading shoots may be cut back more closely, with 

 the view of keeping the tree down, and not so much ex- 

 posed to the wind, or well below the standard trees above 

 them. In many fruit gardens along the south coast, and 

 in other exposed situations, the trees are trained as open 

 bushes, and allowed to reach the height of six to eight 

 feet, when they are pruned to an even height, forming flat 



