79 



should be thinned out, spur pruned, and the tops brought back one-lialf , say two 

 feet being left, to strengthen them, as illustrated in Figure 87. The result of 

 this treatment is to check the top growth of the tree and develop fruiting buds. 

 It also causes fruit spurs to be thrown out at every bud along the full length of 

 the leaders left unshortened the previous winter. These leaders it will be seen 

 are cut back to fruit spurs, for all the buds are converted into spurs. Tlie pruner 

 need, however, have no hesitation in cutting to fruit spurs for the tree is so vigorous 

 that the terminal buds will force into wood-growth and continue the leaders. Tliese 

 trees set some fruit, but as the growth was still heavy the leaders had to be allowed 

 to go unpruned a second time. Figure 88 shows the seven year old tree pruned, 

 with the leaders unshortened. The strong top growth will be noticed in this 



-4. 



t >r*. 





Fig. 90. 

 Shoivira' the tree iu full Ijeariiig. 



illustration, and Figure 89 shows the tree in its eighth 3'ear pruned, and the leaders 

 again brought back about one-half. It will be noticed how well clothed with spurs 

 this tree lias becom? ; also note the number and closeness of the leaders, l.iut as 

 stated before it is not advisable to have too few leaders on these varieties. Tliese 

 trees now bore heavy crops of plums and the excessive top growth ceased. Figure 

 90 shows a nine year old tree in flower. After five years of this treatment the tree 

 is now bearing heavy and regular crops of fruit. The tree now requires little 

 prunmg, but must be run over every winter, shortening the leaders back to a few 

 buds and keeping them intact as for other trees. No forking or branching 

 must be permitted after the necessary number has been obtained. The fruit 

 is borne on spurs of one year's wood and upwards. The lateral spurs must be 

 kept thinned and shortened back where rec^uired, for they branch and multiply, 

 and they must not be allowed to become crowded, but kept strong and productive. 



