ORCHARD-HOUSE PRUNING AND TRAINING. 145 



No. 20. — Orchard House Pruning and 

 Training. 



Bush trees in pots have apparently the advantage 

 of being easy of formation ; but though readily 

 kept in shape for a season or two after potting, 

 they are apt to be thrown out of a true balance by 

 any strong vertical shoot which maybe overlooked. 

 It is, therefore, on the whole, safer to induce the 

 bush tree to assume some more regular shape, such 

 as the pyramidal. In this case we may, by extra 

 width at the base, cause the tree to look much like 

 an ordinary bush, whilst we retain the advantage 

 of having a main central stem, from which the 

 branches can be more symmetrically developed, 

 than if the tree divided into two or three strong 

 branches at the outset. By keeping the top of 

 this low pyramid very little in advance, and allow- 

 ing the base to extend freely beyond the pot, this 

 form assumes an aspect different from the loft/ 

 pyramid, with its comparatively slender base. 



When, however, the bush form is retained, it is 

 imperatively necessary to keep the centre open to 

 the influence of sunshine and air. In this case, 

 also, regularity of form is not only more pleasing 

 to the eye, but conduces to the duration as well as 

 to the productiveness of the tree. It is necessary 



K 



