146 FRUIT AND ITS CULTIVATION. 



Summer Pruning. This should be done in the manner 

 and at the period described for the Apple (see Chapter i.), 

 as both require similar treatment. (Fig. 56.) 



Winter Pruning. The same remarks apply in this case. 

 It would be a sheer waste of space to repeat the full and 

 clear details already given for the Apple. See also the 

 chapter on " Pruning and Training Fruit Trees," pub- 

 lished further on in this volume. Particular attention 

 should be paid to thinning out the fruiting spurs on old 

 trees. Too often such trees have their spurs so over- 

 crowded that fruit fails to set freely, although there may 

 be a plethora of blossom. By judiciously thinning out 

 the spurs, more light and air can have access to them, 

 and the blossoms, in consequence, develop more strongly 

 and fruit trees sets more freely. (See Figs. 57 and 58.) 



Lifting and Root Pruning. In the case of cordon trees 

 grown against walls or fences, that are making too 

 much wood and fruiting too sparsely, it is desirable in 

 October to lift them carefully, shorten moderately any 

 very strong roots, reserving the compact, fibrous ones, 

 and then replanting. This removal and shortening of the 

 roots checks the tendency to gross growth, and encou- 

 rages fruit buds to form more freely. No amount of 

 summer and winfer pruning will make a tree fruitful 

 unless the roots are also pruned to maintain a propor 

 tionate balance between root and branch. 



Bush and pyramid trees, also espalier and wall-trained 

 trees, if making excessive growth, would be greatly bene- 

 fited by lifting and root-pruning. When such trees, how- 

 ever, are more than six or seven years old, lifting is at- 

 tended with a certain amount of risk. In such a case 

 root-pruning only should be practised. Cordons should 

 be lifted and replanted every third year to keep rank 

 growth in check and promote fruitfulness. See chapter 

 on " Pruning " for further details re root-pruning. 



Manuring Pear Trees. Trees grown ag-ainstfc walls^ or 

 fences, or as bushes or pyramids in the open, and bearing 



