GROWTHS ON THE SPURS. 47 



inches, must be pinched back if on the upper 

 side of the Diagonal leaders, to two leaves, and if 

 on the lower side thereof, to three leaves. In a 

 short time each of these leaves left will put forth 

 another stage of young shoots, springing from the 

 axils of the leaves. This is the " third growth." 

 As soon as this " third growth " on either side 

 has reached three leaves, pinch back all to two 

 leaves. A " fourth growth " must be closely 

 pinched in to one leaf, and if anything more grows, 

 pinch it closely in also. These third and fourth 

 growths would be bearers of buds, able, in ordi- 

 nary seasons, to bear the next year, as well as the 

 buds on the second growth ; but in practice, the 

 object being to keep the spurs and the growths on 

 them within six inches, these late growths must be 

 held in the light of " feeders " to the others, just 

 as two eyes are left beyond a bunch of grapes to 

 draw the sap to the fruit. These successive 

 growths in the summer pinchings may exceed the 

 six inches by an inch or two in some cases, espe- 

 cially in forerights, while they may only reach to 

 five inches in other cases ; nevertheless, the rule is 

 to keep them, as near as possible, at this extension. 

 In the winter pruning they will be shortened in 

 alternately, as will be described. 



At the risk of tedious repetition, I must refer 

 again to the Frontispiece. 



The tree in the right-hand corner ( marked 1st 

 year) will represent the appearance of the whole 



