99 



For the first three years prune hard ; nine inches the first year, 12 inches the 

 second year, and 18 inches the third year to be left at each pruning. Remove the 

 inside leader of the fork in the first pruning if necessary to open out the tree-base, 

 or throw the leader into an outside lateral. This forms a very sturdj?, open, well- 

 spaced framework. Remove all excess of laterals and shorten in others in the 

 second pruning to make some fruiting wood for the following season ; for a vigorous 

 peach may be permitted to carry some fruit in its third season. At the third 

 pruning the lateral growth is shortened, thinned, or removed, as may be required ; 

 since the tree, if well grown, can carry a fail' amount of fruit in its fourth season from 



Fig. 119. 

 Showing the strength in this form of tree. 



planting. In the fourth pruning the leaders are left longer, according to the 

 vigour of the tree, from 2ft. to 2ft. Gin. being left. Figures 115 and 116 show a 

 four-year Elberta unpruned and pruned. The tree is roomy, open, and the leaders 

 well spaced and carries nice fruiting wood throughout. The lateral growth has been 

 thinned, shortened or cut close back to two wood buds to form wood for the follow- 

 ing season. Figures 117 and 118 show a five-year old tree unpruned and pruned, 

 an ideal shaped tree, low butted, roomy, strong and carrying good fruiting wood 

 from base to tip. Figu 'e 1 19 shows the great strength in this form of tree, although 

 only five years old. The leaders have been left fairly long, but after this season the 

 pruning will require to be hard to keep the tree vigorous, for it now carries heavy 



