24 



each season, from four to eight buds being left, according to the number of spurs 

 and their strengtli and the requirements of the tree. As soon as we have the 

 rei[uired number of leaders they are not again forked or branched in pruning 

 but kept intact right through, the extremities being kept clear of all lateral growth so 

 as to ensure a clean get away of tlie shoot. This process is continued each year, 

 tlie leaders kept strong and vigorous, and tlie laterals kept liealthy, strong, and 

 productive by shortening in after they form fruit-buds. The laterals must be 

 shortenedin the following year after being left unpruned, more especially the longer 

 ones, not only because the tree will overbear, but each lateral will soon become barren 



Fig. 10. 

 .Jonathan laterals. 



near its base in place of increasing and multiplying. Figure 10 shows, "A," a Jonathan 

 lateral which was allowed to go unpruned the ))re\'ious winter. It will be noticed 

 tliat the wood-buds along its full length have been converted into fruit spurs. 

 This lateral should be shortened back where marked (a) to strengthen the spurs, 

 otlierwise the wood will become barren after bearing. " B " illustrates hoM' the 

 laterals become barren if not shortened back. (a) shows three year-old wood 

 quite barren owing to not having been shortened back ; this should have lieen 

 cut where marked at (b) ; (c) shows two-year old growth with developed spurs, 

 and this if not cut back where marked (d) will also become barren ; (e) shows last 



