CHAPTER XXV 



Pruning (continued) 



When the desired form has been obtained it 

 has to be retained, although the tree will 

 rebel and attempt to regain the natural 

 arrangement of its branches. Suppose, for 

 instance, that a pear tree, pruned as an 

 espalier, has spoilt its symmetrical plan by 

 developing more on one side than the other. 

 How can we restore the equality of the two 

 portions — how weaken the too vigorous side 

 and strengthen the feeble one ? There are 

 several ways in which this may be effected. 



We cut off the branches on the strong side 

 with the shears, only leaving them with a 

 small number of shoots, that is, we prune 

 them very short. On the weak side, on the 

 contrary, we shall leave the branches un- 

 touched, or prune them very slightly, leaving 

 the greater number of their buds. What will 

 be the result of this treatment ? Since 

 abundant foliage, the workshop where the 



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