THE APPLE AND THE PEAR. 



231 



be required the next season. The better way is to select 

 such as are wanted, and rub off the others ; the sap which 

 tliey would Lave appropriated will be turned to the ac- 

 count of the permanent branch- 

 es, and increase their vigor. The 

 leading shoot must be directed 

 in a straight line ; in some cases 

 a support may be necessary. If 

 t'le branches immediately below 

 it are so vigorous as to inter- 

 fere with its growth, they must 

 be checked by pinching. In 

 some cases it may be necessary 

 to do this when they are an 

 inch or two in length. It some- 

 times occurs that the bud cut 

 to is injured by tlie weather, 

 close cutting, or some other 

 cause, and pushes so feebly tliat 

 the laterals below it, having 

 more vigor, take the lead. This 

 must be prevented in time. A 

 proper relative degree of vigor 

 nmst be maintained among all 

 the branches by checking, when 

 necessary, the most vigorous. 

 The first summer's treatment 

 of the branched yearling (fig. 

 11:2) will consist in maintain- 

 ing a uniform growth among 

 the lateral branches, and in the 

 case of the leading shoot, as al- 

 ready described. Some lateral 

 shoots will be pioduced on the branches, and these must 

 all be pinched at an inch or two, as it is yet too soon to 

 allow of the formation of secondary branches. The sum* 



Fig. 110. 

 A two-year-okl {lear-tree, hav- 

 ing made one year's growth after 

 the first pruning. 



