POT FRUIT CULTURE AND ITS ADVANTAGES 139 



center shoot. Keep the main center growth erect each year, otherwise it will 

 be impossible to secure a well-balanced tree. It is not necessary to pinch pyra- 

 mids very severely — at about the third or fourth leaf. Then, as the growth 

 advances, pinch again as recommended for the first pinching. If the trees are 

 growing satisfactorily, pyramids will need pinching about three times during their 

 season of growth, with the exception of the weaker shoots. The pinching may 

 be discontinued toward the later part of the season, as there is then danger of 

 exciting the back dormant eyes. It is also advisable to have one stake to each 

 pyramid, so as to secure an erect growth, and give the tree a neat appearance. 



If these instructions are followed, the trees may be kept in a fairly evenly- 

 balanced form, with the exception of Cherries, Apricots and Figs, which have 

 a tendency to be a bit ungainly. Cherries, in particular, will produce a few 

 strong shoots, while the rest of the growth forms into spurs or clusters of fruit 

 buds. The strong shoots must be pinched a few times during the season, but 

 do not pinch Cherries too severely. Apricots should be pinched about exery 

 fifth leaf, to prevent them from occupying more space than they are entitled 

 to. I do not recommend the Apricot highly for pot work, though it may find 

 a place in the orchardhouse where a variety of fruit is desired. 



The same applies to the Apple, which makes a handsome showing in the 

 pot, and extra large fruit may be obtained in this way, but our open air cli- 

 mate is so favorable for its perfect development that I should recommend it for 

 the orchardhouse more as a curiosity than otherwise. Some years ago I had 

 some twenty or thirty varieties of Apples under glass. The crop was an excel- 

 lent one and the size also was good, but for flavor and quality I would just as 

 soon have an Apple from the open orchard. Apples grown in pots are very 

 ornamental and excel most other fruits for appearance. 



Figs can be grown successfully in pots, but they are handled best in a com- 

 partment b}' themselves, for the Fig will produce two crops of fruit during the 

 season and when the first crop is gathered the second will be improved by keeping 

 in a closer atmosphere until they commence to ripen. I shall take up the cul- 

 ture of the Fig later. 



THINNING THE FRUIT 



Pot fruit is, as a rule, w^ell supplied with fruit buds. Considerable thinning 

 must generally be done, for the trees should not be allowed to carry more than 

 an average crop each year. For the first season, if the nursery stock is of the 

 best and well supplied with fruit buds, and large enough for ii-inch or 12-inch 

 pots, Peaches or Nectarines may carry ten or twelve fruits each; this depends 

 on the variety, for some allowance should be made for an extra large growing 

 variety. 



Plums usually set their fruit very freely, if a fairly dry, bracing atmosphere 

 has been maintained during their period of blooming. This means that consider- 

 able thinning wull have to be done, as the plum will not attain to the highest 

 perfection when overcropped. Only dessert or table Plums should be selected 

 for this purpose, and therefore quality should be considered rather than quan- 



