6o 



1900. We have no objection to the directions given above, 

 but advise growers to modify the whole system by not cutting so 

 heavily, our reason being that on getting knowledge covering a 

 more lengthy period of years we are satisfied that peaches in most 

 varieties grown are a more or less uncertain crop. There is 

 invariably a heavy drop of fruit resulting generally in a light 

 crop, and we prefer now to prune less heavily and to thin 

 thoroughly; if too heavy a crop sets in this way, a regular crop 

 of peaches can be almost relied upon. Also we wish to draw 

 growers' attention to the absolute safety of doing one's cutting 

 back, especially in peaches and Japanese plums after the fruit has 

 set ; we have tried it several years and can recommend it with 

 confidence. 



THE APRICOT. 



The Apricot is probably the tree of all others that suffers most 

 from a neglect of annual pruning. It carries its fruit on the 

 spurs thrown out from the wood of more than one year's growth, 

 and also sometimes on the wood of the last season's growth. 

 But being a rampant grower it is inadvisable to take into con- 

 sideration the possibility of obtaining a few fruits on the long 

 tops of new wood, as, to keep the tree well in hand, these must 

 be sacrificed ; and one can rest assured that the act of disposing' 

 of them tends to force out spurs from the older and stronger 

 wood, which brings the fruit in nearer the main supply of sap, 

 which circulates more freely through these stronger branches, 

 thus increasing size and quality of product, and also placing the 

 fruit in a position where the wind will do it little damage. 



In taking over the tree at the second winter pruning, one 

 finds a strong and heavy growth of the new wood, frequently a 

 yard in length, and occasionally six feet. The greater portion of 

 this must be cut away. One will generally find that from the 

 ends of the wood left at the former year's cutting, two and some- 

 times even three and four strong snoots have been thrown out. 

 Should there be but two (spread well apart and also spread out 

 in such a way as not to interfere with any shoot on the next 

 branch which it is advisable to retain), both can be kept, shorten- 

 ed into a quarter or third of their length, the object being always 

 to retain these limbs as nearly equi-distant as possible. If three 

 or four shoots have been thrown out, one or two must be cut 

 clean away. It must always be kept in mind that the wood now 

 being left will be the future main limbs, and there must not be 

 too many of them ; and their general directions must be main- 

 tained, and the formation of angles and forks in the branches 

 always avoided as much as possible. Actual fruit-bearing spurs 



