156 
THE TROPICAL 
AGRICULTUBIST. 
[Sept. 2, 190i. 
inches, several short shoots will be aent np from 
the upper buds ; of these three or four of the best 
shoots, placed symmetrically round the stem, are 
allowed to grow, all superfluous vegetation being 
rubbed off. These three or four shoots, which will 
form the main limbs of the tree, should be placed 
in such a manner that they foym a well-baJanced 
head, and do not all oomo out together, but spriug 
out of the stem with an interval of aa inch or two 
between them. This knits them better to tha truck, 
and they are thus less liable to split, as they some- 
times do in windy weather, when grown in forks 
and laden with fruit. The apricot move especially, 
with buds very close together, has a tendency to 
grow its limbs all in a bunch. 
Three limbs growing symmetrically round the stem 
are better than four. During the first season, 
these three or four shoots are left to grow without 
interference, so as to favor as good a root system 
as possible. Should one of the rods, however, grow 
with such exuberant vigor that it draws all the sap 
for its own use, to the detriment of the other two 
or three, it would be advisable to pinch it off and 
check it, so as to maintain a fairly equal growth 
o£ the head. A tree is very easily thrown off its 
balance at this stage of its growth, and unless pro- 
perly trained and watched it might be difficult 
susequently to re-establish the harmony of growth 
between the main branches that conatitute the head. 
Second Peuning. 
Daring the summer following the first pruning, 
the young tree should be allowed to grow unchecked. 
as to ensure a good root 
young trees, however, at times 
persist in sending up one soli- 
tary shoots. Should this be 
the case, the tender growth is 
pinched back when it has reach- 
ed a length of live or six in- 
ches, and this will excite the 
bud immediately underneath 
into life, with the result that 
the three or four limbs re- 
quired to form a well-balanced 
head will be secured. 
The reverse at other times 
happens, the young trees 
sending up a bunch of sboots 
of such vigorous and luxuriant 
shoots that there is danger of 
the stems splitting. To guard 
against this, it is in such case 
also, althongh for a different 
parpDse, advisable to take in 
ihe sails, and relieve the plant 
of any excess of shoots, or of 
its threatening top weight 
During the first winter fol- 
development. Some 
Prunin 
lowing the planting of a year- old tree from the bud. 
ling tree, the three shoots, or —Barry, 
may be the four, which constitute its head, are short- 
ened to four to ton inches, according as to whethei? 
these shoots are feeble, or strong and vigorous. 
Fruit-growers often get their trees from the nursery 
at this stage of their growth, and the accompany- 
ing figure illustrates their shape after pruning. 
This operation excites the somewhat dormant buds 
at the base of the shoot into active life. As pre- 
viously said, the terminal bud should be a plump 
and healthy one. It should be directed either up- 
wards, dov/uwards, or sideways, so as to prolong 
the growth of branch outwards or inwards, or to- 
wards a lateral blank space. 
The grovv-th of the main shoots is regulated by 
pinching, and should a third or fonrth twig grow 
amongst them between tho forks they are rubbed 
o(f. When the tree ia ready for pruning a third 
time it has then, if three main limbs only, six 
branches, which, at the time pf the 
Third Peunino 
Are cut bask to 6 to 12 inches, according to their 
strength. Two of the top shoots ou each of these 
branches with an upward direction are left, and the 
lateral shoots from the other buds on the limbs 
below are pinched back in the summer time, when 
they are a few inches long, to four or five leaves. 
These little tufts of leaves 
shelter the branches, streng- 
then them by coverting sap 
into woody tissues, and ulti- 
mately develop fruit spurs. 
Branches which approach the 
vertical line most are cut 
shorter than those inclined 
to an angle, to thus force the 
buds at the base to grow. 
FoniiTH Phoning. 
The same treatment de- 
scribed in the case of the first, 
second and third pruning is 
applied in the case of the 
fourth pruning, and generally 
at this age the tree will begin 
to beai' readily. At this 
period a stocky, low standard 
tree will have been formed, 
which will have a well-ba- 
lanced head, constituted of 
branches growing in an up- 
ward direction, and carrying 
fruit spurs all along their 
length. Such a tree . will 
resist high winds well, can 
easily be approached by horse 
and implements, so taat comparatively little hand- 
labour will be required to keep the orchard in a 
high state of cultivation ; the crop will be evenly 
carried along the main branches, which will not 
stand in need of artificial props, lest they should 
break down under the load of fruit which, at this 
Winter Pruning of a 
tree three years from 
the bud.— Barry. 
YOlUig standard l»ree, four years from the bud, 
after pruuins,— Kakrv, 
