102 



PROFITABLE FRUIT-GROWING. 



one growth-bud, which is apparent, and equally 

 apparent is one blossom -bud on the shoot removed, 

 (fig. 34, below). Better specimens of the dif- 

 ferent buds could not be desired, nor a better 

 example of spur-pruning for producing 

 a large cluster of fruit. The great 

 point to remember, is the importance 

 of preventing the interior of the trees 

 being crowded with shoots by cutting 

 out those which obstruct the light and 

 air about midsummer. If they are 

 allowed to remain to grow into a thicket 

 evil is done, and cutting them out in 

 winter is very far from being a satis- 

 factory remedy. The summer is the 

 time for relieving, or rather preventing, 

 overcrowded trees, which never did 

 produce, and never can produce, the 

 fullest crops of the finest fruit. 



Enemies. These are mainly aph- 

 ides, popularly known as lice; the 

 red spider, an almost invisible insect 

 that extracts the sap from the leaves, 

 causing a yellowish hue, as if scorched ; 

 Fig. 34. and mildew, or fungus, that appears 

 PLUM SHOOT. - n mu ltitudinous specks. The remedy 

 for aphides is tobacco water, which may be made 



