PYRAMIDAL TRAINING OF THE PEAR TREE. 383 



In pruning tlie tree considerable judgment is required, 

 so as to get the base of the specimen well furnished^ and 

 secure fertility in the fruiting branches. Fig. 185 shows 

 how this is performed, and several of the following figures 

 well explain the principle. It is to cut them of the greatest 

 length at the base of the tree, and gradually shorten them 

 as we reach the top. The nearer they spring to the soil, 

 the longer they must be left, or, to be more precise, only a 

 third must be cut from the points of the lowest branches ; 

 half the length may be taken from those situated between 

 summit and base ; and 



lastly, three quarters may -Fjg. 185. 



be cut from the most 

 elevated. In cutting-in 

 the lateral branches, the 

 directly oblique direction 

 which it is desirable they 

 should take must be borne 

 in mind in the pruning, 

 and the terminal bud of 

 each left as far as possi- 

 ble, as at A in Fig. 183. 

 In case of a very irregular 

 development among the 

 laterals, incisions are made 

 above a weak branchlet 

 to encourage it, as at A, 



Fig. 184, and below a Pyramidal Pear Tree. Third pruning, 

 strong one, as at C, to 



retard it until the equilibrium of the branches is esta- 

 blished. At B this incision is made before a dormant 

 bud that has failed to become developed into a lateral. 

 This figure also shows the relative proportion to establish 

 in pruning irregularly developed branches springing from a 

 main stem that we wish to be equally balanced in all its 

 parts. The weak shoot is not cut, or but very little ; the 

 strong one is cut to below the level of the one it is desired 

 to encourage. These incisions should be performed with a 

 little saw, so that the cuts may not soon heal over. The 



