89 



the remainder (/, I, m), which complete the deve- 

 lopment of the tree. Every successive year brings 

 the mother-shoots a little lower, till they are inclined 

 at about an angle of 25 degs. The annexed figure is 

 from a tree which, in nine years, covered a space of 

 wall 42 feet long, and 8 feet high. 



The points of the leading shoots are shortened every 

 year to such an extent as circumstances require. So 

 much is symmetry studied, that Count Lelieur in- 

 structs us to ensure the equality of both sides by 

 admeasurement; and he assures us that this is always 

 possible, if the tree has been properly managed. la 

 order to produce this, however, the most scrupulous 

 attention is given to regularity ; all the means of equal- 

 izing the branches are called into exercise, and even 

 the lateral twigs, and those portions of the shoots 

 which are to be cut off in the pruning, are carefully 

 arranged and manipulated. 



The pruning for fruit commences in the third year, 

 and is performed with much exactness. As already 

 noticed, the whole of the bearing-wood, with perhaps 

 a few exceptions, is renewed every year. The lateral 

 shoots which appear during summer at the ex- 

 tremity of the leading branches, are cut back to a 

 single eye, together with all other shoots which have 

 no fruit-buds, and at the same time are feeble. 

 When a shoot promises blossom, it is generally at 

 some distance from the point of insertion into the 



