24 PIGTOBIAL PBAOTIOAL FRUIT GROWING. 



extent that the tree is greatly ovefcrowded, and consequently fails to bear 

 well. There is a good natural extension shoot at d, and fruiting growths at 

 g, while stubby shoots like / will, i£ slightly shortened, or even left intact, 

 quickly bear. 



This shoot / being a typical Plum growth, may be followed up to a later 

 stage, as at D. It has developed into a long spur. Now such growths as 

 these give a tree a somewhat tangled appearance when it is full of them, 

 and many pruners with a great love of neatness might shorten them to the 

 point indicated by the bars; but this at least may be said: A tree well 

 furnished with them is a sure fruiter, while one without them is a very poor 

 bearer. Cherish, therefore, in the Plum short, stubby growths which show 

 no indication of extending into long branches, for sooner or later they will 

 yield good trait. 



Growths like C are also eminently desirable. They are spui's that have 

 formed as a natural consequence of keeping the tree open and allowing 

 the moderate quantity of healthy wood retained to mature. Growth 

 shoots pushing from these spurs are not likely to be very strong, and 

 may be shortened to six good leaves in summer, and spurred back in 

 winter. 



In connection with Apples, Pears, and Plums alike — indeed, all the principal 

 fruits — the following may be established as a leading point in pruning : That 

 when once the framework of a tree has been formed, the treatment of 

 extension shoots must be modified. Leading shoots need only be cut back 

 when it is desired to originate more branches. If no more branches are 

 wanted — if, indeed, there is a risk of getting too many — do not shorten the 

 leaders. On the lower part of a leading shoot there are often growths 

 which might be termed sub-leaders. Now if the leaders be shortened 

 fresh growths will break in the immediate neighbourhood of these sub- 

 leaders, and the consequence is that a tangle of shoots is created, which 

 makes for barrenness rather than fruitfulness. If the leaders have to be 

 shortened, then the sub-leaders ought to be cut close in, to prevent the 

 overcrowding foreshadowed. The idea of pruning that prevails in many 

 quarters is that every young extension shoot, whether it be pushing from 

 the top or sides of the tree, and whether or not there be " sub-extensions " 

 on the lower portion, must be cut back to a certain level. This is wrong, 

 and frequently does great harm. 



Fruning Tools. — Controversy often rages on the subject of the best 

 tool for pruning. I have heard partisans argue on the rival claims of secateurs 

 and knife as vigorously as if they were discussing a political question. 

 Well, the point is just as interesting as, and very much more useful than, 

 many political topics. I confess, however, that there seems to me to be 

 little real ground for argument : the question is largely one of circum- 

 stances. In training and pruning young trees in nurseries — trees so small 

 that the grower has easy access to every part of them — the knife is almost 

 universally used, and, I think, rightly, for the cleanest of cuts can be made 

 at the exact spot where they ought to be. But when large, unwieldy trees 

 have to be dealt with the case is wholly different, and the secateurs are far 

 more useful. I have heard it said that . secateurs make jagged wounds. 

 That is a very poor compliment to the skill of the owner in sharpening and 

 handling. When as sharp as they ought to be, and handled properly, they 

 make beautifully clean cuts. I should like some of the gentlemen who 



{Gintinued on page 28.) 



