161 
dormant buds at the base, starts them into 
growth, and forces them into, what will 
eventually become fruit spurs. By follow- 
ing the mode of training and eutting back 
described above, we have, therefore, 
around limbs and branches, well dis- 
tributed about the head, leaf buds which 
will continue the growth of the tree, and 
also fruit spurs and fruit buds evenly Young fruit spur near the 
. a lower end of branch or 
distributed all over the tree. basal bud. 
After the fifth year of training, and the sixth year in the case 
of some later varieties, and when the tree has settled down to the 
bearing stage, little hard pruning will be required. The new wood 
of the leaders is trimmed back every year, and all dead wood, 
branches that cross and rub against another, and water shoots, 
are cut out. 
The fruit spurs, however, require at that period some manage- 
ment, and will then continue bearing for many years more; unless 
these spurs are looked after we have trees over-bearing one season 
and taking a rest for one season or two after. This is accounted 
for by the fact that if in young trees the fruit buds are several 
years in process of formation, they take in bearing trees two or 
three years, according to circumstances, and it becomes necessary, 
in order to renew and maintain their vigour, to systematically cut 
off the old part periodically and thus favour the formation of new 
buds at their base. 
MANAGEMENT OF THE Fruit Bups anp BrancHEs. 
In pinching back side shoots intended to carry fruit buds, 
care must be taken not to shorten them too severely, but allow 
them about four inches. If pinched 
too short, the little butt or shoot 
either ceases to grow and dies, 
leaving a vacant space on the 
branch, or else a year or two after 
this excessive pinching, two small 
basal buds push forth on each side 
of the suppressed shoot; those will 
ultimately blossom, but at the loss 
of a season or two, or, again, 
= : premature shoots will grow, which 
Bist Tightly mashed. will likewise be a longer time 
