48 COEDON TRAINING. 



pinching-in during the summer is as in the apricot. As soon 

 as six inches long pinch back to four ; the next growth (as 

 seen in fig. 5) pinch to one inch. Pinch the others closely 

 in, as also seen. In the first winter cut back to four inches. 

 During the ensuing summer endeavor to suppress, on the 

 shoot, the too vigorous triple buds, selecting the feeble buds 

 for the work in hand. Never neglect these plum spurs, or 

 they will develop into rank luxuriance, and become unfruitful 

 for several seasons. 



If, therefore, a tree be perceived with luxuriant growth on 

 it everywhere, and the extremities waving defiantly in the 

 breeze to the height of some three feet over the wall, which 

 is not unusual, then look for no fruit on any of those parts 



6. FORMATION OF FRUITFUL SPURS ON THE PLUM. SECOND WINTER'S PRUNING. 



for two years. In fact, they must be cut out, for the spur 

 would become fearfully thick at the base, and compete with 

 the branches for the sap. Then, if cut out, how very trying 

 to the tree is this excision, and what ugly places appear on 

 the branches. Keep, then, those vigorous triple buds sup- 

 pressed, and work with the weak ones. 



Rightly managed, the spur will in a season or two look 

 like that at fig. 6. This shoot will be shortened to within 

 six inches, i. e. the spur will be four in length, and the later- 

 als about two more. In fig. 6 this is seen. The little lateral 



