46 FRUIT FARMING 



pruned, will give an idea of form, etc. In this example 

 the longer top shoots will require pruning back to 

 four eyes, and the side spray on the branches should 

 be thinned where too thickly placed. 



Further information bearing on these subjects is given 

 under the heading of planting, and in the chapters on 

 the several fruits. For digging, Parkes' 4 and 5 prong 

 cast -steel forks for light land, and spuds of 3 prongs 

 for heavy work, are used ; the latter, as sold by 

 ironmongers, are not well made, the local blacksmiths 

 generally turn them out stronger. 



In Continental works on fruit culture much 

 stress is laid on the tools used, and I have 

 brought up a lew which we find useful as 

 labour -savers, and they are so simple that 

 they explain themselves. 



1. Coppin's tree pruner, avoiding the use 

 of ladders in young trees ; made from 6 to 

 10 feet long. (See advertisement). 



2. American lightning saw, with teeth on 

 both sides, very easy and rapid in its work ; 

 capital for green wood. 



3. Aubert's secateurs. See illustration. The 

 best make. No springs to get out of order. 



4. Samples of Saynor's clasp knives, Nos. 

 189, JQO, and sheath knives, 185. 



RED CURRANTS are greatly improved by summer 

 pruning in August, shortening the small inner shoots, 

 and leaving two or three the full length at the end of 

 each bough to take away the sap. They then form a 

 mass of fruit buds, and the fruit hangs as thickly as 

 possible. The winter pruning here being merely to 

 shorten the long shoots (left from the summer) to three 



