PRUNING OF DWARF APPLES. 29 



treat ; I mean common dwarfs (called by some 

 dwarf standards) and not dwarf trained trees. 



It is necessary to commence from the maiden 

 graft, and go on till the tree is in a state of ma- 

 turity, in order to render the process as clear as 

 possible. 



Suppose your maiden tree has only one or two 

 shoots, it is then necessary to cut them down to 

 four or five buds, to get a sufficiency of wood to 

 form the bottom of the tree ; the following sea- 

 son leave about five of the most regular shoots, 

 which will be quite sufficient, or even four, for 

 they are none the better for being crowded with 

 limbs from the stem. 



But as apples, sometimes the first year after 

 planting, will scarcely make any growth, they 

 had better stand one year after planting before 

 they are headed down; but I should prefer those 

 trees which have been one year headed down 

 in the nursery, having enough shoots to form 

 the bottom of the tree ; I should not leave more 

 than six shoots at the outside, but what you take 

 out, take out clean, and be sure not to leave any 

 blemish, nor bruise the bark with the knife. 



