MANAGEMENT OF APPLES IN NURSERY. 17 



quantity of shoots, and prevent the tree grow- 

 ing strong on one side and weak on the other ; 

 this having been performed, will be all the 

 pruning they will require till the following 

 summer, when those intended for standards 

 will require what is called spurring in, that is, 

 while they are in a growing state, soon after 

 Midsummer, the young shoots which they 

 throw out from the side of the tree should be 

 cut off within about an inch from the stem, ex- 

 cept about five or six at the top, which will 

 cause a general circulation of the sap, and 

 make the trees grow evidently stronger and 

 taller during the summer ; but unless they are 

 taken before they have done growing, it will 

 be of no use, but had better cut them close off 

 to the stem towards autumn, which it is ne- 

 cessary should be done to form a head with 

 five or six shoots. 



The trees at this age being generally about 

 three or four feet high in the stem, and com- 

 monly called half standards, those wishing to 

 plant half standards, cannot plant them at a 

 better age, if the trees have made a strong 

 growth, for the shoots are alternately formed, 

 and consequently never crowd or injure each 

 other, which is often the case where a tree has 

 been headed down unless it is carefully pruned. 



