PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF PRUNING. lOi 



be pinched off so as to convert them into fruit-spurs (accord- 

 ing to the process described hereafter in this chapter), except 

 one shoot left on each as a leader, and another, if needed, to 

 fill up the space made by the widening limbs. The pyramid 

 may now be said to have 

 been fairly formed; and it 

 is only requisite to continue 

 and prolong the same pro- 

 cess for successive years. 

 Fig. 143 represents a four- 

 year pyramid three times 

 pruned, each section being 

 shown at the figures i, 2, 3, 



Fig. 143.— Four-year Pyramid. 



Fig. 144.— Bearing Dwarf Pear. 



and the cross-lines indicating the place for the fourth pruning. 

 Fig. 144 represents a perfectly pruned pyramid in bearing. 



After the tree has attained sufficient size, its further ex- 

 tension is prevented by pruning back the shoots. 



If the fruit-spurs become too numerous, a part of them are 

 to be pruned out closely so as to give an even and not crowded 

 crop. When spurs become too old, they may be mostly re- 

 moved for new ones to spring from their bases. 



Some varieties of the pear throw out side-shoots spontane- 

 ously the first year. Such trees may be treated in a manner 

 not unlike the ordinary two-year pyramid. On the contrary. 



