114 NAT. ORDER. AMADYLACRE. 
the succeeding month, is to regulate the shoots of the same year, 
and to prevent improper growths by rubbing off the buds. Pinch 
off fore-right buds or shoots, and pinch off or cut out ill placed, very 
weakly, spongy or deformed shoots, and very strong luxuriant 
growths, retaining a plentiful supply of good lateral shoots in all 
parts of the tree, and leaving the leader to each branch. Let them 
mostly be trained in at full length all summer, about three inches 
asunder, for the next year's bearers, and divest them of any lateral 
twigs, to prevent a thicket-like intricacy, and to promote a healthy, 
fruitful growth in the shoots left. In the course of the summer reg- 
ulation, if any partial vacancy occurs, or should a young tree under 
training want an additional supply of wood, shorten some conve- 
niently placed strong shoot in June to a few eyes, to furnish a supply 
of laterals the same season. 
Tue winter pruning — May be performed at the fall of the leaf, 
and thence, according to some professional writers, at any time in 
mild weather until spring. It should be completed in February, or 
early in March, before the blossom-buds are considerably advanced, 
which are distinguishable by being round, plump and prominent, 
while the leaf and shoot buds are oblong and narrow. There is some 
advantage in pruning when the blossom-buds can be certainly known. 
Retain in all parts of the tree a competent supply of such regular 
grown shoots of last year as are apparently fruitful in blossom-buds. 
Most parts of these should be shortened, not indiscriminately, but 
according to their strength and situation : the very strong shoots 
should be left longest, being topped about one-fourth or one-third of 
their length ; shoots of middling vigor reduce one-third, and prune 
the very weak to two or three buds. Always cut at a shoot-bud to 
advance for a leader ; sometimes a shoot-bud lies between a twin 
blossom-bud ; cut half an inch above the bud. As many new shoots 
as will lay from three to six inches asunder may be deemed a com- 
petent supply for next year's bearers. Cut out quite close the re- 
dundant, irregular, and other improper shoots ; remove or reduce 
