184 TREATMENT OF THE 



are allowed upon the branches, the trees are 

 not so fruitful, by reason of being too lux- 

 uriant. But by allowing shoots to be trained 

 in between the branches as directed, the sap 

 is properly employed in the production of 

 fruit. 



The portion of shoots directed to be trained 

 in I consider such a supply as will moderate 

 the sap, and check any tendency to luxu- 

 riancy; while on the other hand, the tree is 

 not allowed to support more wood or fruit 

 one season, than its general strength and 

 health will allow, by which caution it is 

 saved from weakness and ultimate unpro- 

 ductiveness. The shoots are also at such a 

 distance that they will not injure one ano- 

 ther, but a proper degree of sun and air is 

 admitted to the tree. 



By this practice a great many more spurs 

 are supported than if main branches were 

 only allowed, and they trained closer toge- 

 ther; also the fruit in the latter case would 

 be considerably smaller, than when produced 

 upon such young shoots as it is my prac- 

 tice to encourage and retain in the tree. 

 When a tree has filled up its allotted space, 

 the branches may occasionally be shortened 

 back to a spur or shoot; this may be repeated 

 as frequent as necessary, taking care not to 

 shorten it more than one foot at a time. It 

 will however at length be required to obtain 

 an entire new head, which may be effected 



