PRUNING OF APRICOTS. 



45 



in the six inches allowed, because these short laterals will 

 form much of the bearing wood. Remember, however, to 

 shorten some of these, in order to have fruit as near the base 

 as possible. 



In FIG. 4, the next winter pruning would be just over the 

 two lowest laterals at A, as the upper shoot would then have 

 become much elongated, and be fruitful. This has in its turn 

 to be shortened, while the lower would have pushed out in 

 one or two places, and so on. One long shoot and one short 

 one, as in the peach, is also an excellent plan, but is not shown 



4. "^FORMATION OF FRUIT-SPURS ON THE APRICOT, SECOND WINTER'S PRUNING. 



here to avoid confusion. Do not prune the apricot all at once, 

 as it is a tree liable to gum, and take care the ties are not 

 growing into the bark for the same reason, nor induce pleth- 

 oric growth by over-feeding the tree. 



Horizontal trees are easily grown in this way. Develop two 

 very long branches, stretching at an angle of forty-five degrees 

 on either side. When fully grown, lower them to the hori- 

 zontal position, and the shoots already allowed to extend from 

 the upper sides only, being now vertical, will, in one season 

 more, ascend to a great height ; they will make, at the same 



