151 
three or four shoots, which form the main limbs of the tree, should 
be placed in such a manner that they form a well-balanced head, 
and do not all come out in a bunch together, but spring out of the 
stem with an interval of an inch or two between them. This knits 
them better to the trunk, and they are less liable to split, as, 
they sometimes do in windy weather when grown in forks and laden 
with fruit. The apricot more especially, with buds very close to- 
gether, has a tendency to grow its limbs all in a bunch. 
Three limbs growing symmetrically round the stem are better 
than four. During the first season, these three or four shoots are 
left to grow without interference, so as to favour as good a root 
system as possible. Should one of the limbs grow with 
such exuberant vigour that it draws all the sap for its own use, to 
the detriment of the other two or three, it would be advisable to 
pinch off the tip and check it, so as to maintain a fairly equal 
growth of the head. A tree is very easily thrown off its balance at 
this stage of its growth, and unless properly trained and watched 
it might be difficult subsequently to re-establish the harmony of 
growth between the main branches that constitute the head. 
SEcoND PRUNING. 
During the summer following the first pruning, the young tree 
should be allowed to grow unchecked, so as to ensure a good root 
development. Some young trees, however, at 
times persist in sending up one solitary shoot. 
Should this be the case, the tender yrowth is 
pinched back when it has reached a length of 
five or six inches, and this will excite the bud 
immediately underneath into life, with the re- 
sult that the three or four limbs required to 
form a well-balanced head will be secured. 
The reverse at other times happens, the 
young trees sending up a buneh of shoots, or 
' such vigorous and luxuriant shoots that there 
is danger of the stems splitting. To guard 
against this it is in such case also. although 
for a different purpose, advisable to take in 
the sails, and relieve the plant of any excess of 
shoots, or of its threatening top weight. 
During the first winter following the plant- 
ing of a yearling tree, the three shoots, or may ——— : 
be the four which constitute its bead, are short- eee ae nee 
ened to four to ten inches, accoriing as to {the pud.—Barry. 
whether these shoots are feeble, or strong and 
vigorous. Fruitgrowers often get iheir trees from the nursery at 
this stage of their growth, and the accompanying figure illustrates 
their shape after pruning. This operation excites the somewhat 
