34 ORCHARD FRUIT TREE CULTURE 



The pruning of young stock differs in motive from that of fruiting 

 trees. The latter are pruned to increase fertility by the production 

 of fruit-bearing wood as distinct from mere growth ; but the 

 former are pruned for foundational work, and until the framework 

 is well and truly laid no thought whatever is given to fruit. We 

 do not expect, neither do we want, to see such young trees carrying 

 fruit ; in fact, we ought not to permit them to but we do want to 

 see them producing stout shoots in the right positions, wood that 

 will build up for the tree a healthy and virile constitution. When 

 we have secured that, and not before, we turn our attention to fruit. 

 In order that the wood may be evenly distributed and balanced, 

 and that right direction is given to it, the pruning must be to an 

 eye pointing in that direction and away from the centre of the 

 tree. It must be an eye facing outward, for at all stages of growth 

 the centre of the tree should be uncrowded and open. It is often 

 necessary to entirely remove shoots which violate that rule, and 

 this can best be done at the time of summer stopping, when such 

 shoots are only incipient. This summer pruning, or, as we prefer 

 to call it, summer stopping, is done in July, when the growths have 

 not hardened and have served the purpose of using up some of the 

 tree's superabundant sap. We would rather be able to pinch 

 these than cut them. We shall refer to this matter later when 

 dealing with fruit trees. 



CULTIVATION 



The cultivation and making of the young trees cannot proceed 

 satisfactorily unless due attention is bestowed on the well-being of 

 the roots, and the keeping of the foliage free from the ravages of 

 insects. In February, the pointing of the soil should be done as 

 recommended for the maidens, only more so, inasmuch as the 

 digging might be deeper. If the soil needs it, work in some well- 

 rotted manure, but manured or not, the soil will benefit by increased 

 aeration. Also, it is advisable to dress at least once with a good and 

 proved soil insecticide, for though we consider a few hens to be 

 the best insect hunters we have, their place is decidedly not in the 

 young tree quarters of a nursery. Should there be an objection to 

 the use of a soil insecticide, though why there should be we cannot 

 see, then spring dressings of newly slaked lime may be given 



