. The fruit garden. Fruit-culture; Fruit trees. THE PLUM 153 when the trees meet, as they will do in the course of years, one must be sacrificed to make room for the other, that is, if unlimited extension is per- mitted to the tree which is intended to be the perrnanent one. I contend that far better returns of fruit are obtained during the early life of the tree by close planting. When the trees have met and the wall is entirely clothed with fruitful growth, I have found it of advantage, in the case of comparatively young trees, such as they would be at this stage, to arrest their extension f
. The fruit garden. Fruit-culture; Fruit trees. THE PLUM 153 when the trees meet, as they will do in the course of years, one must be sacrificed to make room for the other, that is, if unlimited extension is per- mitted to the tree which is intended to be the perrnanent one. I contend that far better returns of fruit are obtained during the early life of the tree by close planting. When the trees have met and the wall is entirely clothed with fruitful growth, I have found it of advantage, in the case of comparatively young trees, such as they would be at this stage, to arrest their extension for a few years by shortening the leading shoots. After three years, if it is decided to make room for the further extension of the permanent tree, it is an easy matter gradually to cut away the trees on either side as much as is required. By this. Result of Shortening Vigorous Shoot at Winter Pruning to Secure Side Growths for Forming Branches at given Points («) Point of shortening at winter pruning; (i/) natural spurs; (i») shoots pinched to form spurs; {x) side growths for forming branches to cover the space; {y) continua- , tion shoot of main branch, system the wall is covered with fruitful trees in about half the time it would take if trees were planted at great distances apart, as frequently recom- mended. It is scarcely necessary to say that the height of the wall must govern the distances apart at which trees are planted. Thus, for a wall 12 feet high the smaller growing plums should be 12 feet apart, the larger growing sorts 15 feet apart, with fan-trained standards between. On walls of less height the distance between the trees must be greater in proportion. The same careful attention will be necessary during the progress of the young plum tree as recommended in the case of the other fruit trees treated of, and especially with regard to gross growths when the trees are young. If these are not checked, nothing can save the tree from becoming barren in a few years' ti
Size: 2048px × 1220px
Photo credit: © The Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksub, booksubjectfruitculture
