250 FRUIT AND ITS CULTIVATION, 



first-formed side branches to a horizontal position. The 

 next year treat the new growth as before, pinching back 

 laterals or sub-laterals to three leaves, until the tree has 

 attained the desired height. 



Fan-trained Trees. Apples, Pears, Plums, Cherries, 

 Figs, Peaches, and Nectarines are trained thus for grow- 

 ing on walls. A maiden tree should have its main shoot 

 pruned back to about three buds in winter. Three 

 shoots subsequently form, which allow to grow un- 

 checked. In winter prune these to 6in. from their base ; 

 and in spring, when growth begins, allow a central leader 

 to grow, and two young shoots on each lower branch ; 

 any others that form pinch back to the foarth leaf. When 

 winter arrives, the lower duplex branches will not require 

 shortening, only those that form above, including the 

 leader. Continue a similar method until the tree has filled 

 its allotted space, and each original branch, including the 

 leader, is furnished with duplex sub-branches, each clothed 

 with spurs, the result of summer pruning the laterals. (Fig. 



121.) 



Peaches and Nectarines are treated in the same way for 

 the first year to ensure a good foundation of main 

 branches. The resultant new growths, however, are 

 spread out equally in the form of a fan, there being no 

 leader. In winter do not prune the lower pair of shoots, 

 only the upper ones, about one-fourth of their length. 

 The next year permit two leaders to grow at the ends of 

 the two lower branches on each side, and only laterals 

 on the others. In winter only the upper branches should 

 be slightly shortened, together with any laterals. A 

 year later laterals form freely, and these bear fruit. Sub- 

 sequent pruning consists of cutting away shoots that have 

 borne fruit, and training in new ones for bearing the 

 next season. See also hints in the chapter on " Culture." 



Figs merely require a young tree with one stem to be 

 cut back to ift. from the ground. New shoots, when 

 about ift. long, must have their points pinched out, the 



