538 



THE APPLE. 



generally the case) were produced, and were shortened during summer 

 agreeably to directions for similar shoots in the treatment of the tree for the 

 second year (see Summer pruning)^ they are now cut down to about half an 

 inch in length (fig. 361). If, instead of shoots, natural fruit-buds should 

 have been produced (these are short and stiff, from half an inch to an inch in 

 length, and reddish at the ends), such are allowed to remain untouched, as 

 it is on those that fruit are produced. The advantage of shortening back the 

 upright shoot as much as is directed to be done is, that by it branches 

 are certain to be produced at those 

 places desired, so that no vacancy 

 occurs. The leading upright shoot 

 thus attended to will reach the top 

 of a wall twelve feet high in seven 

 years, which is as soon as the tree 

 will be able to do, so as to support 

 every part sufficiently. The tree 

 is always loosened from the wall 

 every winter pruning ; the wall is 

 swept and washed, recoloured with 

 paint or coal-tar, if required ; and 

 the tree is anointed with soft soap, 



or some anti-insect composition, and ^ig. SeO. Horizontal TrainiJtg, nrst year. 



fresh mulch laid to its roots. 



Summer pruning. — When the buds upon that part of the leading stem 

 which was produced last have pushed, they are all rubbed off to the three 

 uppermost. The topmost is trained straight up the wall, for a lead to the 

 main stem ; and the two others, one on each side. The instructions given 

 for stopping the leading shoot in summer, also shortening it back in winter 

 pruning, &c., are attended to until the tree arrives at a few inches from the 

 top of the wall. The side branches are allowed to grow without being 

 shortened back at any time, until they have extended as far as can be per- 

 mitted, when they are pruned in every winter, by cutting back each leading 

 shoot to two buds from where it pushed the previous spring. Any shoots 

 arising from the fore part of the main stem are taken clean away. The 

 buds upon the wood made last year will this summer generally make fruit- 

 ful ones. If, on the contrary (as is sometimes the case), shoots are produced 

 instead of fruitful buds, they are allowed to grow ten or twelve inclies long, 

 until the wood atiains a little hardness towards the bottom of it, when they 

 are cut down to about two inches in length ; and at the bottom part of what 

 remains, one or two fruit-buds are formed, so as to be productive in most 

 cases the next year, but in others not until the second year. Although such 

 a shoot was shortened as directed, yet it will generally push a shoot or more 

 the same season from the top part of it. After such have grown a suitable 

 length (as before described), they are cut back to about two inches from 

 where they pushed. If more than one shoot were produced after the first 

 shortening, and a bud or two is well swelled at the origin of the shoot (as 

 before described), all the shoots are left, and shortened as directed ; but, if 

 no such bud is produced, all the shoots are cut clean away, excepting one, 

 which is treated in shortening as before directed. The latter practice will 

 generally be found necessary, and also be more advantageous, as a greater 



