2 Management of the Apple Tree, 



forming the substratum of the border ought always to be at- 

 tended to, when the soil of the border is a very strong loam, 

 unless the bottom is rocky or shaly, when it may be dis- 

 pensed with. 



Trees. — I always plant a maiden tree and one that has only 

 one upright stem. In the following instructions I have stated 

 each year's method of pruning, for such a number of years 

 after the planting of the tree, as appears to be necessary in 

 order to convey my practice fully. The commencement of 

 each year I date from the beginning of winter pruning, 

 and which is always performed as early in the winter as 

 possible, with the exception of the first year, as will be per- 

 ceived. I have only described the practice to that part of 

 each branch produced the first year after the planting of 

 the tree, all other spurs, &c, in the other parts of the tree, 

 requiring the same treatment when at a similar age and con- 

 dition. 



First Year. — Winter Pruning. The tree is headed down 

 just before it begins to push; in doing which, the foot is placed 

 upon the soil, and close to the bole, in order to prevent it 

 from being drawn up by the force which is used in the ope- 

 ration. The cut is made in a sloping direction towards the 

 wall, and about half an inch above the bud which is selected 

 for the leading shoot. The tree is cut down so that seven 

 buds remain. The horizontal mode of training I consider 

 preferable to all others for the apple tree. 



Summer Pruning. If all the buds push (which will gene- 

 rally be the case), they are all permitted to grow until they 

 have attained three inches in length, when two of them are 

 rubbed off; those rubbed off are the third and fourth buds, 

 counting upwards from the origin of the tree. The upper- 

 most shoot is trained straight up the wall for a leading stem, 

 and the remaining four horizontally along the wall, two on 

 each side the stem of the tree. These shoots are trained nine 

 inches apart, for when they are much nearer than this they 

 exclude the sun and air from operating upon the buds and 

 wood, in such a manner as is required to keep the tree pro- 

 ductive. When the leading upright shoot has attained about 

 fifteen inches in length, the end is pinched off so as to leave 

 it about eleven inches long. This causes shoots to be pro- 

 duced from the upper part of the leader thus stopped, three of 

 which are trained in, the uppermost straight up the wall, and 

 the others one on each side the stem of the leader. This stop- 

 ping of the leading shoot is not performed later than the end 

 of June or early in July; for, when it is done much later, 



