Ill 



The bushes should be systematically pruned, to obtain good-sized fruit and 

 regular cropping. All suckers should be removed. The main stem should be 

 raised well above the ground level before being allowed to branch — as a rule, 

 about 12 inches is sufficient. Figure 132 illustrates a young bush marked where 

 it should be pruned. These four limbs will branch in the following season as 

 marked by the dotted lines. The season after, these new shoots are cut to 

 good stout buds, leaving 12 inches if the growth is vigorous. The lateral shoots, 

 which are not requii'ed, should be shortened close back. 



The fruit is borne on two-year and older wood. Figui-e 133 illustrates two- 

 year wood with a one-year shoot. Most of the laterals on this branch liave been 

 cut close back as at " x " ; this prevents the bush from becoming too dense and 

 crowded. The young one-year shoot is left where there is room, so that the older 

 wood can be renaoved. This practice keeps the bush highly productive. The 

 older wood becomes worn-out and exhausted ; therefore a constant supply of new 

 growth is required to replace exhausted wood, especially in the centre of the bush. 

 Well-developed fruiting buds or spiu^s are shown all along the older wood. In the 

 one-year shoot the buds shown will develop into fruiting spurs for the following 

 season. Figure 134 shows bearing wood in fruit, two laterals left for future 



bearing wood, and two shortened back. 



Fig. 1.34. 

 Bearing wood and laterals. 



