Pyramidal Training. 



^75 



at A, in Fig. 48. In case of a very irregular development among 

 the laterals, incisions are made above a weak branchlet to encourage 

 it, as at A, Fig. 49, and below a strong one, as at C, to retard it until 

 the equilibrium of the branches is established. At B tliis incision is 

 made before a dormant bud that has failed to become developed 

 into a lateral. This figure also shows the relative proportion to 

 establish in pruning such irregularly developed branches springing 

 from a main stem that we wish to be equally balanced in all its 

 parts. The weak shoot is not cut, or but very little ; the strong, 



Fig. so. — Pyramid Pear : Third Pruning. 



cut in to below the level of the one it is desired to encourage. 

 These incisions should be performed with a little saw, so that 

 the cuts may not soon heal over. The incisions should penetrate 

 sufficiently into the layer of young wood to well intercept tlie 

 sap vessels. If with aU these precautions there are objectionably 

 bare spaces on the stem, tliey furnish them by grafting by approach, 

 or in other words, turn back a vigorous branch to the main stem, 

 and graft it on to the bare space ; and if this cannot be done, insert 



