Summer Pruning of Fruit Trees, ^c. 219 



stopped again for throwing out another tier of branches ; 

 the top bud is allowed to continue its vertical position, 

 training the others down, between those of the former 

 growth, to stakes as before. This process of stopping the 

 leading shoot, and causing it to throw out new tiers of 

 branches, which are tied down as already described, is 

 allowed to continue till the tree has gained the desirable 

 height, which is generally ten feet, when it is headed back 

 and kept so. The distance between each tier of branches, 

 proceeding from the stem, is about one foot, and the num- 

 ber in each tier five to six. All the branches are trained 

 down till their tops touch the earth, where they are 

 stopped, and this causes them to throw out lateral branches, 

 which are continually cut back, with the exception of 

 those required to fill up the space, in order to keep the equal 

 proportion of the tree. The effect of this cutting back is 

 the production of plenty of short bearing branches or spurs. 



The system of pruning employed is the same as described 

 in the preceding part of this article, by which greater quan- 

 tities of bearing wood are obtained, than nature, unassist- 

 ed, would produce; the branches being turned downwards, 

 causes a slower circulation of the sap, which is favorable 

 to the production of flower buds. 



There is a great deal of attention required the first two 

 years, till once the proper set of the branches is obtained 

 and the perfect equilibrium of the tree produced. Should 

 any of your readers wish a fuller detail of this process of 

 training, 1 beg to refer them to the seventh edition of the 

 Neiv Am,erican Orchardist, lately published, where, under 

 the section " Pruning and Training," the author minutely 

 describes this system. 



Respectfully yours, R. Carmichael. 



Newton, May, 1844. 



Our readers must feel greatly indebted, as we do our- 

 selves, to Mr. Carmichael, for his detailed account of sum- 

 mer pruning and of training trees in the pyramidal or en- 

 qiienouille form. It is a better elucidation of this system of 

 training than that of any writer we have lately read, and 

 those who wish to adopt this method may follow with safe- 

 ty Mr. Carmichael's directions. Three years' experience in 

 the London Horticultural Society's Garden has enabled 

 him to become familiar with the system there practised by 

 Mr. Thompson.— £;rf. 



