PRUNING STANDARDS. Ill 



The removal of larger branches from the middle, 

 or of smaller twigs that point inwards, may be 

 effected any time in winter when the weather is 

 soft; and in general, as trees have plenty of 

 branches going in all directions, the judicious thin- 

 ning of these will be sufficient to give any form you 

 please it being necessary to regard the position of 

 buds only in those cases where there is a great dis- 

 position to vertical growth with few lateral shoots. 

 When these are in ordinary abundance, they have 

 only to be thinned out, so as to keep the heart 

 open, and to supply an even balance of the branches 

 around the stem. 



The worst error with regard to young standard 

 trees is that of allowing the stem to take a slanting 

 direction from the prevalence of high winds. The 

 help of a stake, at first necessary in planting, should 

 be continued till the tree be well established; but 

 if, from oversight, the bad position of the stem has 

 become incorrigible, the only remedy is, by saw and 

 knife to remove half the branches, and restore the 

 equilibrium, by giving the head a contrary inclina- 

 tion. If this is not done in due time the tree can- 

 not stand, as the weight increases at the longer 

 arm of the lever and overcomes the resistance of the 

 roots. Hence it is no uncommon thing to see a 

 fine fruit tree lying flat on its side, and after all 

 bearing as well as others; but it is not easy to en- 

 dure the sight without a feeling of compassion for 

 the tree, and of indignation against its owner. In 

 high and exposed situations the west or southwest 



