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spare the tree and enable the rest of the fruit to develop to larger 

 size. 



PRUNING THE ALMOND. 



The first few years the young tree is trained on the principles 

 laid down when dealing with the formation of a low-standard or 

 " vase "-shaped trees. Some varieties have a weeping- willow habit 

 of growth, and all branches pointing downwards should be cut to 

 insure the symmetry of the tree. After the third or fourth year the 

 pruning will simply consist in cutting dead wood, cross and broken 

 branches, and the shoots pointing downwards, which might inter- 

 fere with horse cultivation.. When three or more shoots grow from 

 the fork of a limb, the number should, by pruning, be reduced to 

 only two. 



The almond carries its fruit on laterals growing on new as well 

 as on old branches, and, unlike those of the peach, the laterals of 

 the almond do not die back annually, but remain productive for 

 several seasons; they should not, therefore, be cut back as in the case 

 of the twigs of the peach that have just borne fruit. 



PRUNING THE PLUMS AND PRUNES. 



Low training is to be recommended for the plums and prunes, 

 and cutting back severely, during the first three years, the long 

 shoots so as to shape the tree, form a stocky and erect growth, and 

 favour the formation of fruit spurs along the main Branches, where 

 the bulk of the crop should be carried, thus preventing the excessive 

 bending down of the branches under the weight of the fruit. The 

 centre branches are well thinned ont, thus leaving the interior more 

 open to the genial influence of the sun, light, and air, and stimu- 

 lating a consequent development of fruit buds in the inside of the 

 tree, instead of leaving exterior branches to bear all the burden. 



Should the tree show an inclination to run to wood and be 

 tardy in putting forth fruit spurs, summer pinching, by checking its 

 growth, will hasten the time of productiveness. When in full 

 bearing the trees require very little pruning, beyond the removal of 

 rank shoots which are misplaced and by the excision of dead wood 

 and others. 



The plums produce their fruit on small natural spurs situated 

 at the ends and along the sides of the bearing shoots, one year up 

 to four or five years old, but mostly on two-year-old wood. These 

 spurs will continue in bearing for several years. 



For the guidance of growers and pruners, it may be stated as a 

 general rule that the longer the wood of any variety of fruit trees 

 takes to come into bearing the longer these spurs will remain 

 fruitful. 



A young plum shoot presents nothing but wood buds. That 

 branch cut at A develops at the subsequent growth more or less 

 vigorous shoots, according as they are nearer to the extremity. 



