114 OF APPLES. 



top bud, that the leading shoot may the more 

 easily cover tlie wound ; and constantly observing 

 to rub off all the buds that come up by the side of 

 the leading shoot, which would otherwise rob it 

 of its nourishment and strength, and so prevent it 

 from making a fine leader. [^See Plate VI.^^. 1.] 

 Remember to cut it annually to the length of 

 from nine to eighteen inches, according to its 

 strength, till the tree is got to that height to which 

 you would have it run, and according to the extent 

 of the ground ; which height may be from eight 

 to twelve feet. By these means the trees will 

 throw out horizontal branches on every side, and 

 soon form handsome heads for dwarfs. 



I would advise not to suffer the dwarf-trees to 

 run higher than from eight to twelve feet ; other- 

 wise they will become naked at bottom, the fruit 

 will be liable to be blown down, and the tops 

 broken by high winds. 



In heading old decayed apple-trees, for the sake 

 of symmetry, it will be necessary to cut at the 

 forked branches as near as can be to the upper 

 side of the fork, cutting them in a sloping manner 

 to carry off the wet, at the same time rounding 

 the edges. You may begin at the lower branches, 

 cutting just above the lower fork ; and, proceed- 

 ing upwards, cut the rest of the branches from 

 one to six joints, or forks, according to their 

 strength, till you have finished cutting in the 

 whole head. If any of these branches should have 

 the canker, all the infected part must be cut out. 



