Pruning the Prune. 267 
ing a more open tree. Some retain the longer stem at planting; 
others cut back to eighteen inches, develop three side branches 
upon that and train the branch from the top bud for a length- 
ening of the stem, and bring out more branches upon that the 
second year, and then dispense with its farther extension. The 
accompanying engravings show this method of developing the 
head of a young French prune. ‘The tree was cut back at plant- 
ing in orchard to a straight switch about eighteen inches high. 
\\ 
————— = 3, 
Sar ie 
Pruning after first summer’s Growth during second summer 
growth in orchard. in orchard. 
At the end of the first summer this showed the form in the first 
picture, which is marked for the first winter pruning. The sec- 
ond engraving shows the branching developed from this during 
the second summer’s growth, also marked to prune away some 
undesirable branches. Upon a tree of this form farther cutting 
back is not desirable as it has enough well-placed branches to 
form the tree. 
The tree shown in leaf represents the same tree during its 
third summer’s growth and presents a fair idea of a well-shaped 
young tree, with a good outfit of well-placed branches. 
How long cutting back shall continue depends partly upon 
the locality and partly upon the notion of the owner. In inte- 
