CLOSE PRUNING BY ALTERNATE SHOOTS. 123 



two. If, by the time this second stopping to two 

 leaves takes place, the lowest buds on the shoot, 

 having had most of the sap, appear full, prominent, 

 and formed (which one or two seasons' experience 

 will enable any one to be a judge of), then let the 

 third growth be reduced to one leaf as soon as two 

 appear ; and any further autumnal growth may be 

 allowed to make several more inches, according 

 as it is desired to strengthen the tree, after any 

 casualty. If, on the other hand, at the time of 

 regulating the second growth, the pruner's expe- 

 rience shall have taught him that the lower buds 

 are not progressing well, then let him cut below 

 the point of junction of the first and of the second 

 growths. The object is to concentrate anew the 

 summer sap of the lower buds, so as to develope 

 them, without causing them absolutely to burst. 

 This is almost sure to succeed. Should, however, 

 the buds not become formed, then the pruner 

 would be justified in cutting right down to the 

 lower two buds, because the shoot is of little value, 

 and the worst that could then happen would be to 

 cause the bud to break, and the shoot would then 

 have to be cut in very closely at the winter pruning. 



We suppose that the two upper buds burst. In 

 this case the buds at the junction, and those on the 

 second growth, are very valuable. In the orchard- 

 house these are certain fruit-bearers, and out of 



