THE PEACjriCE OF PRUNING. 



375 



by several inches, must be shortened back at the 

 ensuing winter pruning, so that the lowest of 

 three buds immediately below the section shall 

 correspond with the intended height of stem. 

 These three buds will give rise to three shoots, 

 which should be encouraged for the oommenee- 

 ment of the branches of the tree. Each of them, 

 as they proceed in growth, should be made to 

 diverge at an angle of about 45°, or half way 

 between the horizontal and perpendicular direc- 

 tions ; and, at the same time, the shoots should 

 be kept equidistant from each other. At the 

 winter pruning, they should be shortened to 

 within nine inches or a foot of their bases, par- 

 ticularly observing to out above two buds point- 

 ing outwards in the direction which it would be 

 desirable the shoots proceeding from them should 

 take. Six Umbs will be thus originated. Again 

 a little attention in summer will ensure an equal 

 divergence of the shoots from the perpendicular, 

 and equal distances from each other. Mean- 

 while, a gradual removal of the 

 temporary shoots on the stem is 

 presumed to have annually taken 

 place, as above recommended. 

 The scars resulting from the 

 suppression of those on the lower 

 part of the stem will have nearly 

 or quite healed over. 



After the principal branches 

 have been started, it is well to 

 regulate the growth of the top for a few years 

 longer, by checking, about midsummer, any 

 shoots that are over-luxuriant, or that are taking 

 a wrong direction. Afterwards, little pruning 

 win be required. The branches should be kept 

 thin enough to admit sufficient sun and air; 

 and after bearing heavy crops, portions of the 

 extremities should be a little shortened. More- 

 over all that cross each other so as to "whip" 

 in windy weather, and all that are broken or 

 cankered, should be cut out. 



Fig. LXX.— Shoot of the Apple- 

 a, a, a, a, a, a, blossom-buds ; 6, 6, 5, h, h, '"^■ 



wood-buds; c, c, soars or spurs where fruit was attached last season. 



