TtlE LORETTE SYSTEM OF PRUNING. 263 
past writings I may call attention to the work of Laurence.* " Now 
begin the Summer pruning of Pears, cutting off the shoots of this year 
that come forward to half an inch, taking out the rest in the middle 
entirely where they crowd one another : But at the extremities of 
the Tree, if there be room, they may be let alone to the winter pruning. 
(1) all perpendicular shoots in the middle of the Dwarfs, should this 
month be reduced to half an inch, that they may put forth weaker and 
bearing Branches . . . July.f The Pear-tree is now to be minded and 
disciplined too, if overvigorous, cutting off all Branches still that push 
forward to half an inch ..." Also Switzer J emphasizes commence- 
ment of operations in April and early May, rather however for the direct 
purpose of removing blighted twigs, and replacing them with healthy 
ones, than with a set intention of getting bearing wood. Indeed, the 
whole idea of summer pinching may have been derived from en- 
deavours to combat pests and their works ; and there can be little 
doubt that the harder fully developed leaves are less liable to damage 
by aphides &c. than young and tender shoots. 
The definite appreciation of the value of shoots derived from the 
normally latent stipulary eyes, which forms so important a feature in 
Lorette's procedure, is to be found in Du Breuil.§ When the 
shoot has reached " un longueur de 5 cm. a 6 cm., on le coupera a 
la base, en conservant seulement son empatement. Les deux boutons 
(yeux) stipulaires qui accompagnaient le bouton principale donneront 
lieu, presque immediatement a deux petits bourgeons beaucoup moins 
forts que le bourgeon principale. On supprimera le plus vigoureux des 
deux, et celui que Ton conservera, et que Ton soumettra au pincement, 
si cela est necessaire, donnera lieu a un petit rameau qui se mettra 
facilement a fruit." As we shall see, the chief shoot is cut back at 
a very much younger stage than in Lorette's practice ; indeed, in 
the fifteenth (current) edition of the work the lengths given are shorter 
still.ll 
In respect to the fruiting capacity of the growths from stipulary 
eyes, it is perhaps not entirely fanciful to think upon the Peach and 
Apricot where the stipulary eyes develop into blossoms whilst the 
central bud gives a wood shoot. 
Pear and Apple. 
We may now turn more particularly to the practical side of our 
theme as it affects the Pear-tree and the Apple-tree. Pruning may be 
classified into two categories : (1) that needed for forming or shaping, 
and (2) that for maintaining the form or shape and the productivity. 
It will be convenient to take the latter first, and also to deal with the 
conversion from classic methods to this novel system. 
* Op. cit. supra, 171 8, pp. 71 et seq. f p. 84. 
% The Practical Fruit Gardener, 1724. 9 
§ Instructions iUmentaires sur la Conduile des Arbres fruitiers, Paris, 2nd 
ed. 1857, p. 57. I have not the first edition. 
|j p. 112, 4 cm. to 5 cm. 
