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ripen on the weaker branch. This will tend to re- 

 store the equilibrium better than any other method. 

 Fig. 1 1 presents us with the figure of the tree in a 

 more advanced state, well balanced, and well calcu- 

 lated for an equal distribution of sap all over its sur- 

 face. Whenever any of the lower shoots have ad- 

 vanced so far as to incommode the others, they should 

 be cut back to a yearling shoot : this will give them 

 room, and keep the lower part of the tree in order. 

 In nailing, care must be taken not to bruise any part 

 of the shoot ; the wounds made by the knife heal 

 quickly, but a bruise often proves incurable. Never 

 let a nail gall any part of the tree : it will endanger 

 the life of the branch. In nailing in the young 

 shoots, to look workmanlike, dispose them as straight 

 and as regularly as possible. Whatever system of 

 training is pursued, the leading branches should be 

 laid in in the exact position they are to remain ; for 

 whenever a large branch is brought dowu to fill the 

 lower part of the wall, the free ascent of the sap is 

 obstructed by the extension of the upper and contrac- 

 tion of the lower parts of the branch. It is thus 

 robbed of part of its former vigour, whilst it seldom 

 fails to throw out immediately behind the part most 

 bent one or more vigorous shoots. To assist the 

 young practitioner in laying in the leading branches 

 of the tree, the following method may perhaps be ac- 

 ceptable. Drive a nail into the wall, exactly where 



