140 THE NTJESERY. 



Dwarf Standards. — ^The management of yearly buds 

 to produce these, is similar to that described for standards, 

 varying it always to suit the particular habit of the spe- 

 cies or variety ; tall slender growing sorts require cutting 

 back, and the suppression of branches at the top; but 

 many varieties of cherries and plums, some very stout 

 growing pears and ajDjDles, and all apricots and peaches, 

 may commence the formation of heads this season. The 

 stem is cut at the point desired, two to three feet from the 

 ground, to form the head on, and three or four of the 

 stoutest shoots, growing in opposite directions, are pre- 

 served, whilst all others close to them are pinched off, 

 when two or three inches long ; side branches are allowed 

 to remain that season on the stem to strengthen it, but 

 they are kept short and regular by pinching. In the fall 

 these trees will be fit for the final planting out, whilst 

 those of weaker habit will require another season, if they 

 be wanted with heads. 



Pyramids. — Yearling trees intended for pyramids are 

 cut back so far as to ensure the production of vigorous 

 side branches within six or eight inches of the stock. The 

 habits of growth of the species and variety must be care- 

 fully taken into account. Some are disposed, from the 

 beginning, to form lateral branches, and others require 

 vigorous measures to force them to do so. As examples, 

 the Bloodgood pear is very much inclined to branch the 

 fii-st year, whilst the Louise Bonne de Jersey and Duchess 

 d'Angou^eme seldom do so, unless m some way the growing 

 point be checked. So it is in cherries ; most of the Dukes 

 and Morellos are inclined to produce laterals the first 

 season, but the free growing sorts. Hearts and Bigarreaus.^ 

 rarely do so, unless the point is checked early in the sea- 

 son. So it is in all the fruits, and therefore no general 

 rule can be given, but the appearance of the tree indicates 

 the treatment required. Where we see side branches 



