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to cut off the top of the tree, whilst still young. It is an advantage to 

 top it, because by doing so, it loses none of the lowest branches, which 

 are more productive than the topmost boughs ; it is stronger and more 

 vigorous both above and below ground ; it is not so much exposed to 

 damage by winds ; there is no fear of breaking the branches in pulling 

 them down to pick the berries — and this is important, for a primary 

 branch never shoots again, but is destroyed if broken. 



Height. — The height at which trees should be topped, varies ; but it 

 should never be greater than 5 feet in the most fertile soil and the best 

 sheltered spot. 



If the soil is not very fertile, the tree may be topped at 4 feet, 3 feet 

 or even 2 feet in very poor soil. 



If the situation is exposed to wind, the trees should be topped lower 

 than in well-sheltered spots. 



When it has been decided to top at a certain height, the point should 

 be nipped off with the fingers, while still green, when it has grown 

 just beyond that height, taking care to remove it immediately below a 

 knot, where the leaves spring. 



Opening or clearing. — Branches which grow straight up, from under 

 the primary branches (called gormandise* s) y or from the knots on the 

 primaries (called riders) must be picked off with the fingers, while still 

 young and green. 



If more than two buds appear at each knot, one above each leaf at 

 opposite sides, they should be picked off, leaving only the strongest, 

 which are growing outwards in the right direction. 



Besides removing these, all the two secondary branches next to the 

 trunk of the tree must be picked off, to allow the sun to penetrate and 

 prevent the growth of moss. 



If opening or clearing be well attended to, there will be scarcely 

 any need for pruning, and as more vigour is given to the bearing 

 branches, the crops will be larger. Opening should be attended to at 

 every weeding, and any neglect made good after every crop. For in- 

 stance, if any of the branches have been left that should have been 

 picked whilst still green, they must now be cut off with a sharp knife. 



If the head is spoiled, it must be sawn off. 



If a bough has been broken by accident, and if any bough has be- 

 come withered through bearing too many berries, they must be cut off. 



Reproduction of boughs. — Whon a primary branch has been cut away 

 as above, it is necessary to so manage that a new one shall take its 

 place. This is done as follows :— The primary branch should be cut off 

 just above a knot where two secondary branches spring. Cut off one of 

 these secondary branches just above the lowest leaf where a bud or a 

 tertiary branch is appearing. This bud, or tertiary branch will then 

 lengthen out, and take the place of the part of the primary branch that 

 had been cat away. 



Umbrella trees. — If opening or clearing has been neglected, amass 

 of small branches is formed at the top, shutting off light from the lower 

 boughs which consequently die and drop off. The tree becomes an "um- 

 brella tree." bearing only a few berries near the top. The best means of 

 dealing with such a tree is to cut it down close to the ground, and allow 

 a fresh sucker to spring up and form a new tree. 



