THE PLUM 153 



when the trees meet, as they will do in the course of years, one must be 

 sacrificed to make room for the other, that is, if unlimited extension is per- 

 mitted to the tree which is intended to be the perrnanent one. I contend 

 that far better returns of fruit are obtained during the early life of the tree by 

 close planting. When the trees have met and the wall is entirely clothed with 

 fruitful growth, I have found it of advantage, in the case of comparatively young 

 trees, such as they would be at this stage, to arrest their extension for a few 

 years by shortening the leading shoots. After three years, if it is decided to 

 make room for the further extension of the permanent tree, it is an easy matter 

 gradually to cut away the trees on either side as much as is required. By this 



Result of Shortening Vigorous Shoot at Winter Pruning to Secure 

 Side Growths for Forming Branches at given Points 



(«) Point of shortening at winter pruning; (i/) natural spurs; (i») shoots pinched to 

 form spurs ; {x) side growths for forming branches to cover the space ; {y) continua- , 

 tion shoot of main branch, 



system the wall is covered with fruitful trees in about half the time it would 

 take if trees were planted at great distances apart, as frequently recom- 

 mended. It is scarcely necessary to say that the height of the wall must govern 

 the distances apart at which trees are planted. Thus, for a wall 12 feet 

 high the smaller growing plums should be 12 feet apart, the larger growing 

 sorts 15 feet apart, with fan-trained standards between. On walls of less 

 height the distance between the trees must be greater in proportion. The 

 same careful attention will be necessary during the progress of the young plum 

 tree as recommended in the case of the other fruit trees treated of, and especially 

 with regard to gross growths when the trees are young. If these are not 

 checked, nothing can save the tree from becoming barren in a few years' time. 

 The three-year-old trained tree when received from the nursery will have 

 probably six branches. The object of the cultivator the next year should be to 



