11 



i\t the winter pruning. One or more of the other buds on the stub will, in 

 tlu meantime, develop into short spurs, each carrying a rosette of leaves. 

 Wliere there is. much moisture in the soil and liberal cultivation is practised, 

 t.lio former plan will give good results, but in positions where moisture is 

 failing and cultivation lax, the second fracturing will seldom be necessary. 

 While this is being practised upon the laterals one of the shoots has been 

 sheeted on each main branch as a leader which shall continue the extension 

 ai:cl shape of the tree. This leading shoot is not pruned during the period 

 when vegetation is in progress, but is dealt with in winter only. It is then 

 pruned to a length which is regulated by its stability and direction of growth. 



" Closer observation and knowledge of the locality are needed in con- 

 nection with the successful application of the partial fracture. To obtain 

 the best results, this must be performed at the time when the sap is receding. 

 The buds upon the stubs will then form the short spurs with rosettes of 

 leaves, to which we have already alluded as the growth to be desired. If, 

 however, it is perfomed too early in the autumn the top bud on the stub 

 usually grows strongly, while the others remain dormant. If, on the other 

 hand, the partial fracture be applied too late in the autumn, all of the buds 

 upon the stub remain quiescent, and with the return of the warmth of spring 

 these will grow as vigorously as those upon laterals pruned only in winter, 

 producing a great density of shade which the hanging shoots cast over the 

 buds and spurs below. This is a very serious defect. The certainty with 

 which buds upon the stubs of the completely fractured laterals start into 

 growth also gives that method considerable preference, while the simplicity 

 of the work does not call for skilled labour, close observation, or any previous 

 knowledge of climatic conditions which prevail in the locality. 



" In practice the complete fracturing is best done with a pair of blunt 

 or loosely adjusted pruning shears, because the bruised sections made by such 

 an instrument heal slowly and appear to restrain the energies of the sap upon 

 the buds retained on the stub. The leaves on the stub should be carefully 

 retained as far as possible. 



" The partial fracture is quickly performed by pressing the lateral side- 

 ways over the blade of a pruning knife, which is also best suited to the work 

 when slightly dull-edged. The half-severed portion then hangs alive and 

 capable of using a certain amount of surplus sap if the operation happens to 

 be done a little too soon. 



" A word of warning is necessary in connection with the adoption of 

 this practice. With the exception of those laterals which tend to crowd into 

 the centre or between the main branches of the tree, these weakening opera- 

 tions should not be applied to young trees of average growth until about the 

 third season after planting. If a few outside laterals are permitted to grow 

 they will help the tree to thoroughly establish itself. At a later period such 

 shoots may be shortened back gradually towards their parent branches. In 

 the second place, with the exception of occasionally pinching out the growing 

 tip of a strong leader or side shoot arising from the main stem, for the purpose 

 of balancing the crown of the tree, no pruning should be applied during the 

 season of active growth to any tree which lacks in vigour.'' 



