Ill] PRUNING AND THINNING 51 



and pears are very similar in their growth and 

 habits, and the method of pruning of the one may 

 safely apply to the other. Some varieties grow 

 more freely than others, and in consequence re- 

 quire more pruning, to induce them to form fruit 

 spurs. The slower growing varieties require little 

 or no pruning, save the thinning out of a few 

 shoots, should the trees become too thick. Each 

 of the diagrams are intended to represent a tree 

 to illustrate the pruning of the apple and the 

 pear. 



Diagram No. 1 shows a tree that requires 

 pruning. Diagram No. 2 (p. 52) shows a tree that 

 requires no pruning. 



It will be noticed in diagram No. 1 that there 

 are three shoots growing from the stem and one 

 centre shoot. 



It must now be supposed that the tree is grow- 

 ing in an erect form. 



The three shoots must be pruned back to letter 

 A. The centre shoot must also be pruned back 

 to letter A, as this will cause the growth of other 

 shoots to furnish the centre of the tree as it in- 

 creases in growth. 



In the event of a side shoot, i.e. a shoot growing 

 in a horizontal direction instead of upright, the 

 same diagram will illustrate the method of pruning. 

 Each of the three shoots should be pruned back 



