98 TREATISE ON 



Often there are superfluous branches that escape being pinched off. In the case of young 

 & vigorous trees, it's appropriate to leave some of these behind to consume excess sap. 

 By then some branches previously thought to be good will have degenerated. Since the 

 pinching off, new ones will have developed on the current year's branches as well as on 

 the former ones. So it's necessary to perform a sort of supplement to the pinching off. 



1°. Superfluous branches that escaped pinching off, & those that subsequently 

 arose on the last pruning or on former ones are treated the same way as during the 

 pinching off. 



2°. Useless shoots that had to be left behind because the tree was excessively 

 vigorous are treated based on the tree's present condition. If it's slowing down, they're 

 cut off; if not, they're still retained, provided that they don't create too much clutter. 



3°. Branches that look as though they're stunted are cut or pinched off above the 

 first bud if a branch is needed at that location. Sucker growths also are disposed of, unless 

 cutting them off would harm their neighbors. In that case appropriate means are used to 

 moderate their growth. 



4°. If one of the new branches gets to be too strong, some of the small branches 

 that it has already produced are pinched off, saving the best-looking & best-situated of 

 the lowest ones. There are two advantages to doing this. First of all, the branch exposed 

 to sunlight & stripped of some of its leaves that would have contributed to its continued 

 growth will transpire, harden, & moderate. Secondly, if it appears to be too strong at the 

 winter pruning & it would be preferable to prune its branches, they'll be ready for this 

 treatment. When such branches that are too vigorous are at the top of the tree, there must 

 be no hesitation to cut them back to the lowest ones growing out of them. 



In a word, this inspection, & all the ones that are worthwhile 



