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only should be done in close proximity to the trees. They should 
be trained with a general upright tendency, so as to interfere as 
little as possible with cultivation. Limbs branching low down will 
protect the stem from sunburn. 
PRUNING THE Loquart. 
The loquat, or Japanese medlar, has hitherto been raised from 
the seed as a tree suitable for wind breaks. The choicer varieties 
are, however, now propagated by grafting or by budding, either on 
its own roots or on the quince, to which it is botanically somewhat 
related. In the first instance, it forms large trees, which take four 
or five years to start bearing. In the second instance it comes 
into bearing at an earlier age. When grown for shelter the higher 
trees worked on loquat seedlings should be selected and trained with 
a stem three or four feet high. In the second case, whether it is on 
its own or on quince roots, it should be headed lower down. As the 
tree carries permanent foliage, and later on heavy crops of fruit, 
the main limbs should be as strong and sturdy as possible, and 
trained with a generally upright direction. These in course of time, 
as the branches extend and carry more foliage and more fruit, will 
gradually be bent down, hence the importance of throwing strength 
and vigour into them at an early stage. This is done by encouraging 
the growth of three or four leaders, low down on the stem (if not 
grown as a wind break); all other shoots are either cut off or 
pinched back, and the young tree is subsequently shaped much in 
the same manner as has been explained in connection with the 
shaping and framing of young trees generally. The fruit bunches 
issue from the terminal point of young shoots. They bear at their 
base wood buds, which will in growing season push out young 
shoots. These, if too numerous, should be thinned out to two or 
three only, so as to insure for each its due share of light, air and 
sun. The decaying flower stalks are cut off, as well also as all dead 
branches. 
PRUNING THE Fic. 
Fig trees naturally form shapely heads. They are best shaped 
when young with the main arms arranged symmetrically round the 
stem. Figs for table purposes are headed low, so that the fruit 
can be picked without difficulty. Figs for drying are headed higher, 
so that the picking of the dead ripe and fallen fruit can be easily 
done over the smooth ground. The fig tree suckers pretty freely, 
and these should be removed in the winter time. Wherever the 
ground is rich the tree will often run excessively to wood, and 
in that ease root pruning will force it into bearing. Drooping 
branches are cut off, and those growing obliquely upright retained. 
Dead wood and branches that cross and interfere with one another 
are suppressed, but the end of the shoots should be sparingly 
