Pruning. 93 



the first step ? It has been budded in two places, and has seven shoots. This is too 

 many ; we must therefore remove some. In this stage of a tree pruning is not com- 

 plicatedthe number of shoots is few, and we see our way pretty clearly. Three 

 shoots are thought sufficient to remain here, and let us select any three which may 

 seem most advantageously situated, and imagine the others absent. We may try this 

 experiment on different shoots if we are not satisfied with our first choice. To us the 

 shoots shown by the thick dark lines seem best placed, and our first step is to cut out 

 close to the base those shown by the thin lines. This renders the object clear, and if 

 it be one of the excitable kinds finishes Autumn pruning. In Spring we shorten the 

 shoots that remain at the termination of the dark shadowing (a). The plant is 

 pruned, and it may be said with truth its appearance is not improved. But the 

 question is not, How does it look when newly pruned ? for when properly pruned it 



Fig. 14. LONG PRUNING, Stage i. 



often presents a very sorry appearance. The question is, How will it look when each of 

 the shoots left triples or quadruples itself? Many cultivators spoil their trees by 

 pruning in fear. It is well to be cautious, but it is seldom that the novice errs by 

 pruning too much. But what considerations have guided us in our operations here ? 

 Seven shoots is the greatest number that should be suffered to remain on a young 

 plant, and in general a less number (in this case three) is preferable. One or two 

 should rise perpendicularly about the centre of the tree, and round this or these all 

 others should be regularly disposed, and the more equal and greater distances that 

 can be contrived from shoot to shoot the better. The shoots, wherever they arise, 

 should have a tendency to grow from the centre, for if they grow towards it they will 

 eventually cross each other, forming a confused and crowded head. In our illustra- 

 tion it will be seen that the shoots have this tendency. 



