154 



THE FRUIT GARDEN 



secure two more shoots on the upper sides of each of the existing branches, so 

 as to build up the framework of the tree and cover the wall in as little time 

 as possible. The result at the next winter's pruning should be the addition of 

 twelve more branches to the tree. To preserve the symmetry of the tree 

 restrict the shoots to the upper sides of the branches. Cases may occur where 

 this is not practicable, then, rather than have the wall bare, I would train a 

 shoot from the under side. The following year the main branches must be 

 increased in the same way, and so on every year until the tree has filled its 

 allotted space. 



Pruning. — Fruit-spurs will form on the main branches of the tree, and all 

 the winter pruning necessary will be to shorten the shoots of the previous year's 

 growth to within a few buds of their bases ; fairly strong shoots should be 

 cut to within four buds and weak shoots to two buds of their bases. If the 



Branch with One to Three Years' Wood 



(s) Spurs that have borne fruit in summer ; {I) spurs of preceding summer's formation ; 

 {c) point of shortening a short stubby shoot ; {d) side shoot at extremity of previous 

 year's wood that may be left if desired to form a subsidiary branch at this point, or 

 cut out— this being better than shortening to the cross line, as that induces vigorous 

 shoots to push, and crowds with useless wood ; («) extension shoot left entire, or 

 shortened at a wood bud (cross line) to originate growths for forming branches to 

 cover the space. Shoot on side, one year old ; (/) blossom buds ; (^) wood buds ; 

 {h) basal buds ; (i) point of shortening to originate growths. 



fruit-spurs become long and unwieldy they must be shortened, and if the 

 branches are overcrowded with fruit-spurs it is essential occasionally to cut 

 away a few. 



Summer Pruning. — As a rule the plum does not require much disbudding. 

 At the same time, if the wood-buds are too numerous, disbudding must be 

 attended to, to prevent overcrowding. When the lateral shoots are about ten 

 inches long, they should be shortened to half their length, and any resulting 

 shoots stopped at the second leaf ; no further attention will be necessary until 

 the winter pruning, when these shoots must be pruned as previously advised. 

 The same methods of pruning must be practised each year as the seasons come 

 round, although as the trees advance in years it may be found necessary to 

 train in some young shoots to fill vacant spaces ; this can easily be done by 

 reserving as many summer shoots as may be wanted, securing them to the wall 

 the following winter. 



Protecting Trees in Flower. — The plum tree blossoms early, and as the 



