THE PEAR. 



359 



this plant maiden trees, or those one year from the bud. 

 When they have grown one year, they will be something 

 like a. Cut off the branches where tlie lines are dotted, 



in the winter, and pinch in any shoots during the summer, 

 that would destroy the symmetry of the tree, or remove 

 them entirely if superfluous. If this is done, the tree at 

 the close of a good season will resemble b. Head back 

 the leader to strengthen the side branches, each year. The 

 leader must be shortened more or less according to its 

 vigor. A little practice will enable any one of ordinary 

 judgment to form his trees in the desired shape. Do not 

 let the branches remain so close together that when they 

 come to bear, they will cause the fruit and foliage in the 

 interior to suffer for want of air. Keep the lower shoots 

 the longest by pinching those above, when disposed to 

 overgrow them. The main thing is constant attention 

 that the tree may not waste its strength in forming wood 

 where it will have to be cut out to keep the tree in good 

 shape. The whole process is concisely detailed in the 

 following from the " Gardener's Chronicle — 



