APPLE TREE. 



127 



ten or twelve inches long, until the wood at- 

 tains a little degree of hardness towards the 

 bottom of it, which will generally be the 

 case in Jane, when they must be cut down 

 to about two inches in length. And at the 

 bottom part of what remains, one or two 

 fruit buds will afterwards be formed, so as 

 to be productive in some cases the next year, 

 but in others, not until the second year: 

 these must be treated agreeably to their con- 

 dition as will be hereafter directed for such 

 buds and shoots. 



Although such a shoot was shortened in 

 June, as directed, yet it will generally push 

 a shoot or more the same season, from the 

 top part of it. After such have grown a 

 suitable length, they must be cut back to 

 about two inches from where they pushed. 

 If more than one shoot were produced after 

 the first shortening, and a bud or two is well 

 swelled at its origin as before described, all 

 the shoots may be left and shortened as di- 

 rected; but if such a bud does not swell, all 

 the shoots must be cut clean away, to one 

 which may be treated in shortening as di- 

 rected. The latter practice will generally 

 be found necessary, and also be most advan- 

 tageous; as a greater portion of sun and air 

 is admitted to the buds, which will be consi- 

 derably strengthened and forwarded to a 

 mature state. 



Third Year. — Winter Pruning, — In pruning 



