218 Summer Pruning of Fruit Trees ^ ^c. 



it acts as a force from behind, which continually presses 

 upon the new-born tissue and causes it to expand." 



I have thus far endeavored to show the advantage of 

 performing what is termed winter pruning, in autumn, 

 from a confidence of its superiority, having seen it suc- 

 cessfully applied by some of the best gardeners in England; 

 and I hope the few imperfect remarks I have made will 

 receive that just consideration which the importance of the 

 subject demands. 



In concluding this paper, I have thought it might prove 

 beneficial, to some of your readers, to describe the practice 

 followed in the London Horticultural Society's garden, 

 and other extensive establishments in England, of training 

 pear and apple trees in the form of pyramids. The system 

 has for its recommendation the production of larger, finer, 

 and as well flavored fruit as is produced on standards ; the 

 trees are more productive and occupy less room : adding to 

 all these good qualities — when properly managed — beauti- 

 ful objects of ornament. If planted along each side of the 

 principal walks in the fruit or kitchen garden, (as in the 

 Horticultural Society's garden at London,) they produce a 

 most splendid appearance. I am induced to think that the 

 system might be followed with great advantage in this 

 country; the method of training is easily put into practice, 

 and when once commenced and properly attended to, re- 

 quires little trouble. 



The pear trees intended for this system should be on 

 quince stocks, and the apples on paradise stocks ; this 

 checks their luxuriance and causes a dwarfness which is 

 desirable in this method of training. The system adopted 

 in England to produce the pyramidal form is to plant 

 young trees of the former year's grafting in rows, from ten 

 to twelve feet asunder, along the sides of a walk, or any 

 other conspicuous place, when the stem or last year's 

 growth is cut back a sufiicient length, say within five or 

 six eyes, of the base ; this heading back causes the remain- 

 ing buds to push equally, and produce the first tier of 

 branches, which are allowed to continue growing until the 

 month of July, when the uppermost shoot only is permit- 

 ted to grow erect ; the others are forced into a downward 

 direction by tying them to stakes, placed at equal distances 

 round the tree. The leading shoot, from its perpendicular 

 direction, grows with great vigor, and soon requires to be 



