292 On pruning Dwarf Standard Apple and Pear Trees. 



very luxuriantly, which is apt to be the case under this treat- 

 ment, they should be prevented doing so, by cutting off part 

 of the old wood, along with the young shoot immediately 

 above a flower bud. This will prevent the shoot so cut from 

 increasing in length. The spurs must be treated in a similar 

 manner, by cutting off a small portion of the old wood along 

 with the young, where they are getting too long. I have 

 never found the above treatment prevent the fruit swelling, 

 or in any way detrimental to it, but, on the contrary, it was 

 always improved. 



Young trees are to be treated in the following manner. If 

 there are more than three shoots on the plant, reduce them 

 to that number, and shorten each to three, four, or six eyes, 

 according to their strength. The following season, reduce 

 the number of leading shoots to six, and shorten them to 

 three-fourths of their length, and spur in the remaining shoots. 

 The tree should be managed in every respect in this manner 

 until it has attained the required size, which of course de- 

 pends on the convenience or fancy of the owner, or conductor 

 of the garden. 



I make a point of letting the trees take their natural form 

 of growth as far as the system described will permit ; for I 

 consider it of little consequence what shape is given to the 

 tree, provided my end is attained ; that is, to make every 

 branch as it were a long spur, with bearing buds, from the 

 base to the extremity. 



Two or three year's trial of this method only, might possi- 

 bly deter many from a continuance of it, in consequence of 

 the quantity of young wood which will be produced yearly at 

 first, and from the apparent difficulty of getting rid of the 



