PRUNING OF PLUMS. 73 



As soon as six inches long pinch back to four ; 

 the next growth (as seen in Fig. 5) pinch to one 

 inch. Pinch the others closely in, as also seen. In 

 the first winter cut back to four inches. During 

 the ensuing summer endeavour to suppress, on the 

 shoot, the too vigorous triple buds, selecting the 

 feeble buds for the work in hand. Never neglect 

 these plum spurs, or they will develop into rank 

 luxuriance, and become unfruitful for several 

 seasons. 



If, therefore, a tree be perceived with luxuriant 

 growth on it everywhere, and the extremities 

 waving defiantly in the breeze to the height of 

 some three feet over the wall, which is not unusual, 

 then look for no fruit on any of those parts for 

 two years. In fact, they must be cut out, for 

 the spur would become fearfully thick at the base, 

 and compete with the branches for the sap. Then, 

 if cut out, how very trying to the tree is this ex- 

 cision, and what ugly places appear on the 

 branches. Keep, then, those vigorous triple buds 

 suppressed, and work with the weak ones. 



Rightly managed, the spur will in a season or 

 two look like that at Fig. 6. This shoot will be 

 shortened to within six inches, i.e. the spur will 

 be four in length, and the laterals about two more. 

 In Fig. 6 this is seen. The little lateral at the 

 top is, say, two inches beyond its parent, and has 

 some neat flower-buds on it. Merely shorten it 

 so as to keep it compact. The next lateral is 



