78 
persons train them in the fan form, this we disapprove, as too 
unsystematic for producing equality of distance amongst the 
shoots. We would ratlier recommend main shoots to be trained 
in parallel lines, perpendicularly, a foot apart. These will 
permanently remain, and all eligible young shoots, of a very 
short-jointed character may be, for years, tied to these main 
stems, which will thus stand as a sort of trellis, to fasten the 
young spray to. 
The trees being established, we come to the general manage- 
ment; which is simple. In summer, this demands only the 
selection of the bearing spray for the next year ; and in winter, 
the re-examination of such spray, together with protection from 
frost. We will commence with what must, for distinction’s sake, 
be termed winter pruning. This must not, however, be per- 
formed until the buds are swelling, which takes place towards 
the middle or end of April ; for then alone can the superior 
bearing wood be selected. 
The business then is, to select as many of the young shoots 
as will clothe the main stems (when tied to them) from top to 
bottom; no two young shoots, however, being permitted to grow 
side by side, for the Fig leaf being so large, the light would be 
too much excluded, and the consequence would necessarily be 
barrenness, or inferiority of fruit. A thin succession of such 
having been tied down, and the rest pruned entirely away, the 
tree will want no attention until the early part of June, when 
disbudding must commence. Although the main stems are 
one foot apart, the tree will soon become entire confusion, 
unless this process be attended to. In the 6rst disbudding, 
all long-jointed young shoots must be rubbed off; this will, 
in general, comprise at least three-fourths of the young spray. 
Soon after this, the leading shoots will require nailing, and 
when this is done, which will in general be about the end of 
June, or early part of July, as many young shoots as may be 
of proper character, and long enough, should be tied to the 
main stems. In the course of three weeks more, another selec- 
tion and disbudding of laterals should take place — again tying 
down any of fruitful character, for which there may be room. 
All that will be necessary after this, will be to look over them 
again towards the end of July, and rub off entirely every young 
shoot not wanted for the succeeding year. 
