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theoretically the wrong time; directly after the fall of the 

 leaf being usually considered the more appropriate period. 

 I have found however that when pruning takes place in 

 autumn or winter, the terminal buds upon which I rely for 

 the extension of the leading shoots become detached, killed, 

 or so far enfeebled, that they refuse in spring to make any 

 extension, and the second or third bud from the end becomes 

 the extending shoot. By waiting until the buds commence 

 swelling in spring, 1 am able to select one for the prolonga- 

 tion of new wood, having the most proper position, and at 

 the same time giving promise of vigorous growth. This ap- 

 plies only to the shortening in of the leading shoots. The 

 removal of superfluous limbs should take place in autumn, 

 and the surface of the wound covered with spme preparation . 

 to keep out the air. An alcoholic solution of shellac answers 

 the end better than anything else. Besides this kind of 

 pruning, the object of which is to promote wood growth by 

 keeping up a preponderance of strength in favor of the roots, 

 I at the same time keep an eye to the eventual production of 

 fruit. For this purpose I practise pinching out the ends of 

 the leading shoots after they have made from ten to twelve 

 inches growth. Such an operation, without apparently 

 weakening the tree, causes the wood already made to bo- 

 come ripened, and the buds throughout its length to assume 

 a more decided character and eventually become fruit spurs. 

 This treatment is applicable only to those varieties which 

 are inclined to vigorous woody growth. For some thrifty 

 growing varieties like the Urbaniste, which show no disposi- 

 tion to fruit, I reserve all pruning to the season of growth, 

 during the latter part of June. This gives the tree a sudden 

 check, and instead of spending its force in making new 

 wood, it applies it rather to the formation of fruit spurs, 

 without which no tree can be fruitful. 



Another object gained by continued pruning is to render 

 the tree stocky. That is the size of the trunk becomes 

 large in proportion to its height. Low, stocky trees are more 

 fruitful than those that are tall and spindling, and their first 

 full crop does not break them down or destroy their vigor. 



