Round the Year in the Garden 



growth, which makes matters worse than ever. The 

 winter pruning consists simply in cutting back, to within 

 two buds of the base, the side shoots that were shortened 

 in summer, and in cutting off about one-third of the past 

 season's growth at the ends of the branches. This 

 routine work, however, is of little value unless the 

 branches are thinly disposed. The assurance of this is 

 one of the chief articles of faith in pruning fruit trees. 



The Plum, like the Apple, bears fruit both on spurs 

 stunted side growths and on shoots of the previous 

 summer's growth. Thus, while the orthodox summer and 

 winter pruning is practised, care should also be taken 

 of fresh growths wherever there is room for them without 

 crowding the existing branches. Similar remarks apply 

 to the Sweet Cherries, though fruit spurs form on the 

 branches so freely as a rule that the previous summer's 

 growths may be cut back in the usual way, to two buds. 

 In dealing with Morello Cherries, Peaches and Nectarines 

 a totally different procedure is required ; in these cases 

 the shoots that have produced fruit are cut out and the 

 fresh growths of the past summer take their places. 



Red and White Currants bear their fruits on spurs, 

 and the method of pruning is the orthodox, namely, to 

 shorten to within one or two buds of the base all side 

 growths. The terminal shoots, those that continue the 

 development of the branches, are shortened by about 

 one-third. Gooseberries fruit freely on spurs and on 

 shoots that formed during the past summer, so when 

 there is room for these they should be allowed to replace 

 older shoots. Branches near the ground ought to be cut 

 off, for when they become laden with fruits the latter 

 are spoilt by soil splashed up during heavy rains. The 

 branches must be at such a distance apart that it is 

 possible to get one's hands between them conveniently for 

 the purpose of gathering the fruits. Cordon Gooseberries 

 and Red and White Currants are quite easily dealt with ; 

 it is necessary merely to shorten the side shoots to within 



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