166 ERUIT TREES. 



at the second year often involve tlie suppression of a 

 third part of the shoot. This occasions much trouble, 

 and the flow of gum is perhaps the result. It may be 

 desirable, therefore, not to perform the operation all at 



Fig". 147.— Fruit-Branch, Third Pruning^. 



one time, but at twice, first on the higher part of the 

 tree, and eight or ten days later on the lower half. 

 There is the additional advantage in this plan, that the 

 sap drawn in such great abundance towards the lower 

 part of the tree during these eight or ten days tends to 

 augment the vigour of this part, always less favoured 



