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the tree will be a mass of spurs from within a foot of 

 the ground to the extremities of the shoots. 



In down-training from a main stem, a much greater 

 length of shoot may be left, providing the main stem 

 has been formed to the desired height. Indeed, there 

 is no occasion to shorten at all here : the young 

 shoots may be turned down their full length at once, 

 cutting away all those which are badly placed, and 

 any superfluous spray. 



In all other fancy modes of training, the main pur- 

 pose and ultimate position of the shoots must be kept 

 steadily in view from the first ; remembering that 

 bearing fruit is no part of the object in the earlier 

 stages, but the establishing a good form ; and it is 

 for this latter reason that severe pruning becomes 

 necessary. 



The pruning of ordinary standard trees may now 

 proceed. This resolves itself into thinning out, and 

 the removal of any decaying portions. Care should 

 be taken, in thinning the interior of such trees, to 

 distinguish between watery shoots and wood clothed 

 with spurs. The latter must by no means be re- 

 moved, but if it produces an inconvenient amount of 

 spray, such may be shortened back to a single eye or 

 bud. The blossom buds in the interior of the tree 

 will produce fruit in bad springs, when that on the 

 exterior and better-placed wood suffers by the frost. 



