1 90S.] 



Pruning Fruit Trees. 



23 



valuable end that it serves is the prevention of over-crowding. 

 Vigorous varieties growing in rich soil make an immense 

 amount of breast-wood, and if the whole of it is allowed to 

 develop unchecked the trees become crowded with foliage. 

 It is very difficult to see what benefit this is to the trees, 



fig. I. — Pruning apple-spurs : — (A), portion of a branch : {a), extension growth 

 terminated by a blossom bud (as common with Irish Peach, Lady Sudeley and 

 Golden Noble) ; {b), one-year spurs with blossom buds ; (<r), two years spurs; (d), 

 three years spur ; (e), spur growths pinched to three leaves in summer and shortened 

 in winter to the cross lines. (B), closely branched spur marked for thinning. 

 (C), spur with long stragglers cut off, thus keeping the spurs close to the branch. 



considered as fruit producers. Of course, a certain amount of 

 leafage is necessary in order to maintain healthy root action 

 and a sufficient flow of sap ; but it will hardly be suggested 

 that more is necessary or beneficial than can have exposure 

 to light and air. In this matter the apple grower should 



