64 



FRUIT TREES. 



its intended proportions (fig. 44), the lower branches 

 being inclined a little by their own weight, the tree 

 assumes its pyramidal shape. The pruning does not | 

 differ from preceding years, only that the inferior 

 branches having now attained their intended length, 

 we cut their new extensions quite close. The other j 

 branch extensions should be all cut following the line 

 A B (fig. 44). The summer operations are the same as 

 the preceding year. 



Sixth Pruning, — This does not differ from the fifth, 

 only as the lateral branches lengthen they increase in 

 weight, and hang down too much towards the ground 

 on the neighbouring branches, and must be brought 

 into their first direction again, by means of strings or 

 supports, so that the space between each may always 

 remain equal. The same treatment is carried on until 

 the twelfth year, at which time the tree presents the 

 aspect of figure 35. 



If there is still sufficient earth for the roots to extend 

 themselves further, the tree will still have a tendency 

 to increase its size, and this may be turned to advan- 

 tage. Allow the terminal shoots and the lateral 

 branches to extend themselves afresh, but in such a 

 manner as to preserve the proportion between the 

 height and the diameter, as before directed. 



Obtaining and Maintaining Fruit-Branches. 



All that we have hitherto said has related to the 

 formation of the wood of the tree. We shall now de- 



