326 



CASSELL'S POPrLAE GARDEXIXG. 



to allow of more light and air reaching the swelling 

 fruit ; and in the autumn the growing shoots should 

 be cut back, as shown in Fig. 17. 



The thinning or reduction of size of fruit-spurs, 

 as shown in Fig. 19, belongs more to general culture 

 of fruit-trees than the moulding of voung trees into 



Fig. IS. —Keeping' Fruit -brauclies at Home 



Fig. 19.— Tliiiming of Fruit -bearing Spur; 



For the purpose of keeping Apple or other fruit- 

 trees in good form— or at home, as it is called — the 

 shortening back of the branches is often practised, as 

 sho\sTiin Fig 18, whether these branches are clothed 

 with fruit-buds, as there sho^Ti, or with wood- 

 buds. 



form. But an illustration of it is given here to 

 complete what is needful to a full comprehension of 

 the subject. It is obvious that trees may be injured 

 br an excess of fruit -bearing spurs even more readily 

 and seriously than by an excess of woody shoots : 

 and hence the importance of reducing the numbers. 



