86 



FRUIT CULTURE. 



equalize the loss of roots in transplanting, and 

 also to insure a vigorous start and a symmetrical 

 head. This should be done before the buds 

 start in the spring. The central shoot must be 

 cut just above a bud, which will preserve a 

 straight leader and give a pyramidal form to the 

 tree. The dotted lines in Fig. 5 show the man- 

 ner of pruning in the spring 

 after planting. No other prun- 

 ing will be necessary until the 

 following spring, when a sim- 

 ilar process will be repeated, 

 with a less severe reduction of 

 the shoots, as a general rule. 

 If any of the side branches as- 

 sume a too upright habit, a 

 bud on the lower side of the 

 limb is selected for the termi- 

 nal shoot, which will cause a 

 more horizontal growth. On 

 the other hand an upper bud 

 will induce an upright form. After this an an- 

 nual shortening of the young shoots may be neces- 

 sary, so long as the growth is vigorous. Less 

 of this work will be required as the tree comes 

 into bearing. Ordinary judgment will determine 

 if the growth becomes too dense, or if the thin- 

 ning out of crowding shoots and ill-shapen 



Fig. 5. 



