FRUITS AND VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS 



CHAPTER XXI 



POT FRUIT— PINCHING THE SHOOT-THINNING THE FRUIT 



IN growing pot fruit it is well to bear in mind that it entails but a trifle more 

 labor to maintain a well-balanced, shapely tree. This may be secured 

 largely by systematic pinching during the season of growth. While it 

 is not necessary to pinch to the extreme, there should be no crowding of shoots. 

 Have each shoot free and easy, so that the sun may get a chance to penetrate 

 through the branches. The tree will then produce far superior wood, which means 

 Oner fruit. When the trees start into growth, there are often many more shoots 

 than are necessary to furnish the tree. In such case some disbudding may be 

 done; or, better still, pinch back to two or three leaves, with the object of forming 

 fruit spurs for the following season. E\ery fruit man of experience knows tiie 

 value of a tree well supplied w^ith fruit spurs, for this means a plentiful suppl\- 

 of fruit, generally of good quality. 



Pot fruit may usually be had in two or three forms — bush, half standard 

 and pyramid. The two former call for the same treatment as regards pinching. 

 The only difference between them is, that the half standard has a foot or eighteen 

 inches more of clear stem than what is termed the bush form. Peaches, Nec- 

 tarines, Cherries and Apricots do admirably as bush and half standard; while 

 Pears, Apples, and Plums are best as pyramids. Peaches and Nectarines make 

 handsome trees in pyramid form. Bush and half standard should be pinched 

 back when the new shoot has reached five or six inches; some of the shoots will 

 need pinching before others, for a well-balanced tree. The vigor of the tree 

 will determine as to how many times it is to be pinched during the season. Some- 

 times certain shoots will be found to take the lead or will grow much stronger 

 than others; these must be kept pinched back or be cut away altogether. If 

 ail the shoots break away again, as they undoubtedly will, pinch again at five 

 or six inches, and if the branches crowd too much, thin away some of the useless 

 growths. By pinching in this manner, there will be no serious trouble with 

 lateral growths. 



Pyramids require somewhat closer attention than the bush forms to keep 

 them in proper shape. The growth of pyramids will generally commence on 

 the top; therefore, the most advanced shoots should be pinched first. In an\ 

 case, pinch the bottom shoots last, as the strength is more apt to leave the bottom 

 branches in preference for the shoots higher up, so the bottom growth must be 

 encouraged rather than pinched too freely. Attention should also be paid to the 



